Entry Level Salary
$41,650
Median Salary
$123,805
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
13.8%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,952,200
Entry (Early)
$41,650
Median (Prime)
$123,805
High (Prime)
$139,562
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-80k
+596k
+722k
$25k / yr
-170k
+506k
+632k
$50k / yr
-260k
+416k
+542k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
24
24
$25k / yr
Never
27
26
$50k / yr
Never
30
28
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-156%
466%
581%
$50k / yr
-119%
191%
249%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate63.3%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Postsecondary teachers
10.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$31,085
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,681|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Software developers
9.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$82,592
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$145,775|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Physical scientists, all other
6.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,765
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$107,602|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Management occupations
4.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$42,206
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$168,825|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Engineers, All Other
4.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$73,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$135,060|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Astronomers and physicists
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$38,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$121,949|$166,290
openings
1,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%
Secondary school teachers
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$52,063
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$66,953|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Top executives
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$208,250|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Mathematical science occupations
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$83,300
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$113,676|$104,620
openings
37,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +27.1%
Physicians
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$48,522
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$250,000|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| engineering physics. | Bachelor's Degree | 88 | $74,337 - $102,211 |
| engineering physics. | Master's Degree | 12 | $118,632 - $118,632 |
| engineering physics. | Doctoral Degree | 7 | Data N/A |
| physics. | Undergrad Certificate | 10 | $80,759 - $80,759 |
| physics. | Associate's Degree | 80 | $73,770 - $73,770 |
| physics. | Bachelor's Degree | 689 | $42,790 - $131,025 |
| physics. | Master's Degree | 195 | $68,529 - $179,750 |
| physics. | Doctoral Degree | 166 | $132,984 - $178,137 |