Now You Know: Grad School Edition

As you consider your future, it’s helpful to know some foundational facts, figures, and statistics about grad school in physics, astronomy, and engineering.

• Most people switch schools for grad school. It’s even preferred by some grad programs.
• Most grad programs begin in the fall semester, few allow students to start in the spring.
• Most programs accept international students, but some funding options may be limited to US citizens.
• Many programs let accepted students defer their admittance for one year. The longer you wait to apply, the less likely you are to do so.

Almost all new physics and astronomy PhD students are fully supported:

• 53% by teaching assistantships (avg. salary ~$25,000)
• 20% by research assistantships (avg. salary ~$31,000)
• 26% by fellowships and scholarships

Almost all new engineering PhD students are fully supported:

• 14% by teaching assistantships (avg. salary ~$28,000)
• 52% by research assistantships (avg. salary ~$30,000)
• 34% by fellowships and scholarships

• Many more students enroll in physics and astronomy PhD programs than master’s programs. In engineering, the reverse is true.
• Eighty percent of physics and astronomy PhD students graduate in 6 ± 1 year.
• Most master’s programs take two years.
• Master’s programs usually have lower stipends than PhD programs (if any) and may not have tuition waivers.

1. Most new grad students don’t come in with a thesis topic.
2. Students can change research fields within a program.
3. The ratio of theory to experimental dissertation research varies with topic. In physics and astronomy, it breaks down like this:

• Materials science, nanoscience, surface physics: ~88% experimental
• Astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology: ~40% observational
• Relativity, gravity: ~90% theoretical
• Condensed matter physics: ~68% experimental

• Students who are research or teaching assistants get regular paychecks.
• Research and teaching asisstants usually don’t pay tuition.
• Health insurance is offered to grad students.
• Students work all year, including summers.
• Most students don’t apply for loans because tuition is waived and they are paid.
• Students focus primarily on classes for the first two years.
• Students focus solely on research after finishing classes.

Fifty-two percent of those who earned physics or astronomy PhDs in 2019 and 2020 became postdocs, 38% took potentially permanent positions.

• Avg. starting salary for postdocs: $55,000–$70,000.
• Avg. starting salary for private-sector positions: > $115,000.

Fifty-two percent of those who earned physics or astronomy PhDs in 2019 and 2020 became postdocs, 38% took potentially permanent positions.

• Avg. starting salary for postdocs: $55,000–$70,000.
• Avg. starting salary for private-sector positions: > $115,000.

The data is important, but it’s not the whole story. Advanced degree programs are great if you love research or if the degree will take you someplace you love, but they’re tough. Don’t go to grad school just because you don’t know what else to do. And if you decide to go for a PhD, consider individual research advisors, not school names. Look for programs with multiple advisors you’d want to work with—options are essential. You’ll spend most of your time doing research with your advisor.

Most of the data referenced in this article is from studies by the American Institute of Physics (AIP) Statistical Research Center. Go to aip.org/statistics to explore more.