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Master's Degree in Physical Sciences

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Master’s Degrees in Physical Sciences

6,760 Yearly Graduations
$58,235 Median Salary
40% Women
A master's degree in physical sciences is offered at 365 colleges in the United States. Among those who recently graduated from the schools offering this degree, the majority were men, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 27.1% of physical sciences graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Physical Sciences Majors

In 2020-2021, 6,760 master's degrees were awarded to physical sciences majors. This makes it the 19th most popular master's degree program in the country.

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

Education Level Number of Grads
Bachelor’s Degree 30,906
Master’s Degree 6,760
Associate Degree 6,428
Doctor’s Degree 5,726
Basic Certificate 220
Graduate Certificate 219
Undergraduate Certificate 47

Earnings of Physical Sciences Majors With Master’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in physical sciences is $58,235. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $51,030 to a high of $71,653.

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Student Debt

We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for physical sciences students who are master's degree holders.

Student Diversity

More men than women pursue master's degrees in physical sciences. About 60.1% of graduates in this field are male.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 4,065
Women 2,695
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The racial-ethnic distribution of physical sciences master’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 395
Black or African American 193
Hispanic or Latino 544
White 3,435
International Students 1,831
Other Races/Ethnicities 362
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There are 365 colleges that offer a master’s degree in physical sciences. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
167 Yearly Graduations
63% Women
23% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The most popular school in the United States for physical sciences students seekinga master's degree is Johns Hopkins University. Each year, around 28,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,720 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,720 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 167 master's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at Johns Hopkins. Around 23% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 63% were women.

107 Yearly Graduations
47% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 2nd most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their master's degree is Columbia University in the City of New York. Roughly 30,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $50,496 per year. The physical sciences program at Columbia University in the City of New York awarded 107 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 47% of this group were women, and 21% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#3

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
104 Yearly Graduations
34% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Arizona comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 45,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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. The physical sciences program at University of Arizona awarded 104 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 34% were women.

#4

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
96 Yearly Graduations
34% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Oregon is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in physical sciences. Each year, around 21,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,458 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,714 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 96 people received their master's degree in physical sciences from UO. Around 18% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 34% were women.

#4

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, Mississippi
96 Yearly Graduations
48% Women
14% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Mississippi State University comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 22,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,110 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,110 per year. The physical sciences program at Mississippi State University awarded 96 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 48% of this group were women, and 14% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#6

University of California - San Diego

La Jolla, California
95 Yearly Graduations
59% Women
28% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of California - San Diego comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 39,500 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. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 95 people received their master's degree in physical sciences from UCSD. Of these students, 59% were women and 28% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

93 Yearly Graduations
47% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Washington - Seattle Campus is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in physical sciences. Roughly 48,100 attend the school each year. 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. The physical sciences program at University of Washington - Seattle Campus awarded 93 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 47% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#8

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
91 Yearly Graduations
32% Women
20% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 8th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their master's degree is Princeton University. Roughly 7,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $56,010 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $56,010 per year. The physical sciences program at Princeton University awarded 91 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 32% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#9

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
89 Yearly Graduations
40% Women
15% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Florida State University comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 43,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,684 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 89 people received their master's degree in physical sciences from Florida State. About 40% of this group were women, and 15% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#10

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
88 Yearly Graduations
27% Women
30% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of California - Los Angeles is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in physical sciences. Roughly 44,500 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. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 88 people received their master's degree in physical sciences from UCLA. Around 30% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 27% were women.

#11

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
87 Yearly Graduations
48% Women
20% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 47,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 87 people received their master's degree in physical sciences from U-M. About 48% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#11

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
87 Yearly Graduations
37% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Chicago comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 17,800 attend the school each year. 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. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 87 people received their master's degree in physical sciences from UChicago. Of these students, 37% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#13

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
85 Yearly Graduations
38% Women
12% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Wisconsin - Madison is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in physical sciences. Roughly 44,600 attend the school each year. 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 85 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 38% were women and 12% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#14

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York
83 Yearly Graduations
33% Women
16% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of Rochester comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 11,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,276 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $46,779 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 83 people received their master's degree in physical sciences from University of Rochester. Around 16% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 33% were women.

#15

New York University

New York, New York
82 Yearly Graduations
30% Women
17% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

New York University comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 52,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $53,770 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $35,982 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 82 master's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at NYU. Around 17% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 30% were women.

#16

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
81 Yearly Graduations
40% Women
31% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Texas A&M University - College Station comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 70,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 81 master's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at Texas A&M College Station. About 40% of this group were women, and 31% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#17

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
79 Yearly Graduations
27% Women
32% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

University of California - Berkeley is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in physical sciences. Roughly 42,300 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, 79 master's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at UC Berkeley. About 27% of this group were women, and 32% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

75 Yearly Graduations
52% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Ohio University - Athens Campus comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 25,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,840 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,444 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 75 master's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at OHIO Athens. Of these students, 52% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#19

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
74 Yearly Graduations
30% Women
16% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Yale University is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in physical sciences. Each year, around 12,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,950 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $45,700 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 74 master's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at Yale. Around 16% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 30% were women.

#20

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
71 Yearly Graduations
34% Women
15% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Carnegie Mellon University comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 13,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $57,560 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $46,441 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 71 master's degrees were handed out to physical sciences majors at Carnegie Mellon. About 34% of this group were women, and 15% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

Physical Sciences Majors to Study

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Chemistry 2,246
Physics 1,949
Geological & Earth Sciences 1,663
Materials Sciences 270
Atmospheric Sciences 213

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

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Computer & Information Sciences 54,510
Engineering 48,049
Biological & Biomedical Sciences 19,635
Mathematics & Statistics 12,658
Engineering Technologies 6,549

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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