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Doctor's Degree in Physical Sciences

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Doctor’s Degrees in Physical Sciences

5,726 Yearly Graduations
$66,988 Median Salary
35% Women
A doctor's degree in physical sciences is offered at 235 colleges in the United States. In recent years, the majority of the students getting degrees in this area were male, and 13 were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 41.2% of physical sciences graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Physical Sciences Majors

In 2020-2021, 5,726 doctor's degrees were awarded to physical sciences majors. This earns it the #7 spot on the list of the most popular doctor's degree programs in the nation.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in physical sciences at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Master’s Degree 6,760
Doctor’s Degree 5,726
Graduate Certificate 219

Earnings of Physical Sciences Majors With Doctor’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a doctor's degree in physical sciences is $66,988. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $60,164 to a high of $78,741.

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Student Debt

The data on debt ranges for physical sciences majors who have their doctor's degree is not available.

Student Diversity

More men than women pursue doctor's degrees in physical sciences. About 64.7% of graduates in this field are male.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 3,703
Women 2,023
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The racial-ethnic distribution of physical sciences doctor’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 263
Black or African American 100
Hispanic or Latino 276
White 2,422
International Students 2,357
Other Races/Ethnicities 308
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There are 235 colleges that offer a doctor’s degree in physical sciences. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
124 Yearly Graduations
27% Women
15% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The most popular school in the United States for physical sciences students seekinga doctor's degree is University of California - Berkeley. Each year, around 42,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,442 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,442 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 124 people received their doctor's degree in physical sciences from UC Berkeley. Around 15% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 27% were women.

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
112 Yearly Graduations
29% Women
20% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Stanford University comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 15,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $55,473 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $54,315 per year. The physical sciences program at Stanford University awarded 112 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 29% were women and 20% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

99 Yearly Graduations
40% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Washington - Seattle Campus comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 48,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,927 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,605 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 99 people received their doctor's degree in physical sciences from UW Seattle. Around 18% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 40% were women.

#4

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
96 Yearly Graduations
32% Women
17% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physical sciences. Each year, around 11,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $55,510 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $55,510 per year. The physical sciences program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology awarded 96 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 32% were women and 17% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

94 Yearly Graduations
36% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 5th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Roughly 52,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,446 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,635 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 94 people received their doctor's degree in physical sciences from UIUC. Of these students, 36% were women and 24% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#6

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
93 Yearly Graduations
49% Women
16% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 6th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Roughly 47,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,865 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,902 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 93 doctor's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at U-M. About 49% of this group were women, and 16% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#6

University of California - San Diego

La Jolla, California
93 Yearly Graduations
35% Women
26% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of California - San Diego comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 39,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,442 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,442 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 93 doctor's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at UCSD. Around 26% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 35% were women.

#8

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
89 Yearly Graduations
33% Women
7% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 8th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of Wisconsin - Madison. Each year, around 44,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,273 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,728 per year. The physical sciences program at University of Wisconsin - Madison awarded 89 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 33% were women and 7% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#9

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
88 Yearly Graduations
31% Women
6% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Texas A&M University - College Station comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 70,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,578 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,885 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 88 people received their doctor's degree in physical sciences from Texas A&M College Station. About 31% of this group were women, and 6% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#10

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
83 Yearly Graduations
35% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 10th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is Purdue University - Main Campus. Roughly 46,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,718 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,718 per year. The physical sciences program at Purdue University - Main Campus awarded 83 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 35% of this group were women, and 18% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#11

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
82 Yearly Graduations
34% Women
22% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 11th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of California - Los Angeles. Each year, around 44,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,442 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,442 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 82 doctor's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at UCLA. Of these students, 34% were women and 22% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#12

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
81 Yearly Graduations
32% Women
19% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Harvard University is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physical sciences. Each year, around 30,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $51,143 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $50,928 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 81 people received their doctor's degree in physical sciences from Harvard. Of these students, 32% were women and 19% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#13

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
77 Yearly Graduations
19% Women
9% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Arizona is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physical sciences. Roughly 45,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,990 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,106 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 77 people received their doctor's degree in physical sciences from University of Arizona. Around 9% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 19% were women.

#14

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
76 Yearly Graduations
26% Women
14% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Colorado Boulder comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 37,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,806 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,168 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 76 doctor's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at CU - Boulder. Around 14% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 26% were women.

#15

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
73 Yearly Graduations
34% Women
8% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Michigan State University is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physical sciences. Roughly 49,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,966 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,714 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 73 doctor's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at Michigan State. Of these students, 34% were women and 8% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#15

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
73 Yearly Graduations
29% Women
7% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Houston comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 47,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,685 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,713 per year. The physical sciences program at University of Houston awarded 73 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 29% of this group were women, and 7% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

73 Yearly Graduations
41% Women
14% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 15th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is Ohio State University - Main Campus. Each year, around 61,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,018 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,560 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 73 doctor's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at Ohio State. Of these students, 41% were women and 14% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#18

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
67 Yearly Graduations
19% Women
4% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Chicago comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 17,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,256 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $62,640 per year. The physical sciences program at University of Chicago awarded 67 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 19% were women and 4% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#19

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
65 Yearly Graduations
31% Women
11% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 52,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,532 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $17,844 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 65 doctor's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at UMN Twin Cities. About 31% of this group were women, and 11% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#20

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
64 Yearly Graduations
31% Women
14% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

California Institute of Technology comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 2,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $56,364 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $56,364 per year. The physical sciences program at California Institute of Technology awarded 64 doctor's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 31% were women and 14% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

Physical Sciences Majors to Study

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Chemistry 2,721
Physics 1,752
Geological & Earth Sciences 734
Astronomy & Astrophysics 170
Materials Sciences 144

Below are some popular majors that are similar to physical sciences that offer doctor’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Engineering 10,936
Biological & Biomedical Sciences 7,594
Agriculture 4,273
Computer & Information Sciences 2,584
Mathematics & Statistics 1,961

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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