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Physics.
Master's Degree•195 Institutions
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.
Annual Full Cost vs. Median Earnings
Each dot represents one program at an institution. Shows the spread of annual sticker price (or net price if sticker price is unavailable) vs earnings 4 years post-grad.
Field Median ($111,173)
P25-P75 Interval ($68,529 - $150,865)
HS Baseline ($35,872)
Breakeven Line (0% ROI)
Institution | State | Earnings | Avg Net Price | Median Debt | Lifetime Value Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tucson | AZ | $179,750 Nat: $96,478 4yr Post-Grad | $16,674 /yr | - | +$900k |
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. University Park | PA | $150,865 Nat: $96,478 4yr Post-Grad | $19,550 /yr | - | +$646k |
University Park | PA | $150,865 Nat: $96,478 4yr Post-Grad | $32,875 /yr | - | +$621k |
Rochester | NY | $127,533 Nat: $96,478 4yr Post-Grad | $29,278 /yr | - | +$426k |
Eugene | OR | $124,295 Nat: $96,478 4yr Post-Grad | $22,182 /yr | - | +$411k |
Boone | NC | $111,173 Nat: $96,478 4yr Post-Grad | $16,836 /yr | - | +$307k |
Ann Arbor | MI | $106,130 Nat: $96,478 4yr Post-Grad | $13,138 /yr | - | +$270k |
Lowell | MA | $95,208 Nat: $96,478 4yr Post-Grad | $17,163 /yr | - | +$167k |
Alabama A & M University ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. Normal | AL | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,621 /yr | - | -$0 |
Birmingham | AL | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,749 /yr | - | -$0 |
Huntsville | AL | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,796 /yr | - | -$0 |
Auburn | AL | - Nat: $96,478 | $24,323 /yr | - | -$0 |
Tempe | AZ | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,967 /yr | - | -$0 |
Flagstaff | AZ | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,158 /yr | - | -$0 |
Pasadena | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,075 /yr | - | -$0 |
Fresno | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $7,000 /yr | - | -$0 |
Fullerton | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $6,555 /yr | - | -$0 |
Long Beach | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $10,440 /yr | - | -$0 |
Los Angeles | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $3,967 /yr | - | -$0 |
Northridge | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $7,021 /yr | - | -$0 |
Berkeley | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,481 /yr | - | -$0 |
Davis | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,741 /yr | - | -$0 |
Irvine | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,251 /yr | - | -$0 |
Los Angeles | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $12,548 /yr | - | -$0 |
Riverside | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,304 /yr | - | -$0 |
La Jolla | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $12,470 /yr | - | -$0 |
Santa Barbara | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,109 /yr | - | -$0 |
Santa Cruz | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,890 /yr | - | -$0 |
San Diego | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,364 /yr | - | -$0 |
Golden | CO | - Nat: $96,478 | $28,690 /yr | - | -$0 |
Fort Collins | CO | - Nat: $96,478 | $21,279 /yr | - | -$0 |
Storrs | CT | - Nat: $96,478 | $25,097 /yr | - | -$0 |
New Haven | CT | - Nat: $96,478 | $20,857 /yr | - | -$0 |
Middletown | CT | - Nat: $96,478 | $30,177 /yr | - | -$0 |
Delaware State University ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. Dover | DE | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,910 /yr | - | -$0 |
Newark | DE | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,799 /yr | - | -$0 |
Washington | DC | - Nat: $96,478 | $29,561 /yr | - | -$0 |
Washington | DC | - Nat: $96,478 | $36,586 /yr | - | -$0 |
Orlando | FL | - Nat: $96,478 | $10,411 /yr | - | -$0 |
Tallahassee | FL | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,739 /yr | - | -$0 |
Florida Institute of Technology ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. Melbourne | FL | - Nat: $96,478 | $35,639 /yr | - | -$0 |
Tallahassee | FL | - Nat: $96,478 | $11,297 /yr | - | -$0 |
Gainesville | FL | - Nat: $96,478 | $6,541 /yr | - | -$0 |
Tampa | FL | - Nat: $96,478 | $9,812 /yr | - | -$0 |
Clark Atlanta University ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. Atlanta | GA | - Nat: $96,478 | $37,702 /yr | - | -$0 |
Atlanta | GA | - Nat: $96,478 | $12,116 /yr | - | -$0 |
Atlanta | GA | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,931 /yr | - | -$0 |
Athens | GA | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,936 /yr | - | -$0 |
Honolulu | HI | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,664 /yr | - | -$0 |
Pocatello | ID | - Nat: $96,478 | $12,193 /yr | - | -$0 |
Moscow | ID | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,831 /yr | - | -$0 |
Chicago | IL | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,860 /yr | - | -$0 |
Chicago | IL | - Nat: $96,478 | $30,902 /yr | - | -$0 |
Champaign | IL | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,355 /yr | - | -$0 |
Chicago | IL | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,425 /yr | - | -$0 |
Romeoville | IL | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,028 /yr | - | -$0 |
Dekalb | IL | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,391 /yr | - | -$0 |
Evanston | IL | - Nat: $96,478 | $29,167 /yr | - | -$0 |
Carbondale | IL | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,297 /yr | - | -$0 |
Macomb | IL | - Nat: $96,478 | $12,937 /yr | - | -$0 |
Muncie | IN | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,940 /yr | - | -$0 |
Indianapolis | IN | - Nat: $96,478 | $11,668 /yr | - | -$0 |
Bloomington | IN | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,264 /yr | - | -$0 |
Notre Dame | IN | - Nat: $96,478 | $26,780 /yr | - | -$0 |
Ames | IA | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,589 /yr | - | -$0 |
Iowa City | IA | - Nat: $96,478 | $22,531 /yr | - | -$0 |
Manhattan | KS | - Nat: $96,478 | $19,406 /yr | - | -$0 |
Pittsburg | KS | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,784 /yr | - | -$0 |
Wichita | KS | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,194 /yr | - | -$0 |
Lexington | KY | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,851 /yr | - | -$0 |
Louisville | KY | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,988 /yr | - | -$0 |
Baton Rouge | LA | - Nat: $96,478 | $19,151 /yr | - | -$0 |
University of New Orleans ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. New Orleans | LA | - Nat: $96,478 | $12,384 /yr | - | -$0 |
Lafayette | LA | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,530 /yr | - | -$0 |
Baltimore | MD | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,809 /yr | - | -$0 |
Baltimore | MD | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,467 /yr | - | -$0 |
Towson | MD | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,413 /yr | - | -$0 |
Chestnut Hill | MA | - Nat: $96,478 | $41,704 /yr | - | -$0 |
Boston | MA | - Nat: $96,478 | $24,402 /yr | - | -$0 |
Bridgewater | MA | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,383 /yr | - | -$0 |
Worcester | MA | - Nat: $96,478 | $28,714 /yr | - | -$0 |
Cambridge | MA | - Nat: $96,478 | $19,066 /yr | - | -$0 |
Amherst | MA | - Nat: $96,478 | $22,383 /yr | - | -$0 |
Boston | MA | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,707 /yr | - | -$0 |
Boston | MA | - Nat: $96,478 | $30,915 /yr | - | -$0 |
North Dartmouth | MA | - Nat: $96,478 | $20,927 /yr | - | -$0 |
Mount Pleasant | MI | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,597 /yr | - | -$0 |
Ypsilanti | MI | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,407 /yr | - | -$0 |
East Lansing | MI | - Nat: $96,478 | $19,680 /yr | - | -$0 |
Houghton | MI | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,182 /yr | - | -$0 |
Rochester Hills | MI | - Nat: $96,478 | $9,120 /yr | - | -$0 |
Detroit | MI | - Nat: $96,478 | $12,766 /yr | - | -$0 |
Kalamazoo | MI | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,273 /yr | - | -$0 |
Mankato | MN | - Nat: $96,478 | $19,139 /yr | - | -$0 |
Minneapolis | MN | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,778 /yr | - | -$0 |
Duluth | MN | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,743 /yr | - | -$0 |
Hattiesburg | MS | - Nat: $96,478 | $21,708 /yr | - | -$0 |
Columbia | MO | - Nat: $96,478 | $20,268 /yr | - | -$0 |
Kansas City | MO | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,310 /yr | - | -$0 |
Rolla | MO | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,298 /yr | - | -$0 |
Bozeman | MT | - Nat: $96,478 | $22,499 /yr | - | -$0 |
Lincoln | NE | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,747 /yr | - | -$0 |
Las Vegas | NV | - Nat: $96,478 | $10,359 /yr | - | -$0 |
Reno | NV | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,927 /yr | - | -$0 |
Durham | NH | - Nat: $96,478 | $23,805 /yr | - | -$0 |
New Brunswick | NJ | - Nat: $96,478 | $24,406 /yr | - | -$0 |
Newark | NJ | - Nat: $96,478 | $19,703 /yr | - | -$0 |
Socorro | NM | - Nat: $96,478 | $9,873 /yr | - | -$0 |
Albuquerque | NM | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,489 /yr | - | -$0 |
Las Cruces | NM | - Nat: $96,478 | $8,889 /yr | - | -$0 |
Potsdam | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $30,305 /yr | - | -$0 |
New York | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $21,590 /yr | - | -$0 |
Ithaca | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $28,690 /yr | - | -$0 |
New York | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $3,776 /yr | - | -$0 |
Queens | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $4,195 /yr | - | -$0 |
Troy | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $36,228 /yr | - | -$0 |
Albany | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,167 /yr | - | -$0 |
Vestal | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $21,620 /yr | - | -$0 |
Buffalo | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $20,995 /yr | - | -$0 |
Stony Brook | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,784 /yr | - | -$0 |
Syracuse | NY | - Nat: $96,478 | $38,793 /yr | - | -$0 |
Greenville | NC | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,739 /yr | - | -$0 |
Greensboro | NC | - Nat: $96,478 | $10,846 /yr | - | -$0 |
Charlotte | NC | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,435 /yr | - | -$0 |
Raleigh | NC | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,303 /yr | - | -$0 |
Winston-Salem | NC | - Nat: $96,478 | $28,719 /yr | - | -$0 |
Fargo | ND | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,543 /yr | - | -$0 |
Akron | OH | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,946 /yr | - | -$0 |
Bowling Green | OH | - Nat: $96,478 | $24,022 /yr | - | -$0 |
Cleveland | OH | - Nat: $96,478 | $41,190 /yr | - | -$0 |
Cincinnati | OH | - Nat: $96,478 | $25,648 /yr | - | -$0 |
Cleveland | OH | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,764 /yr | - | -$0 |
Oxford | OH | - Nat: $96,478 | $28,384 /yr | - | -$0 |
Columbus | OH | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,339 /yr | - | -$0 |
Athens | OH | - Nat: $96,478 | $21,637 /yr | - | -$0 |
Toledo | OH | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,249 /yr | - | -$0 |
Wright State University-Main Campus ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. Dayton | OH | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,415 /yr | - | -$0 |
Stillwater | OK | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,447 /yr | - | -$0 |
Norman | OK | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,300 /yr | - | -$0 |
Portland State University ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. Portland | OR | - Nat: $96,478 | $9,552 /yr | - | -$0 |
Bryn Mawr | PA | - Nat: $96,478 | $31,759 /yr | - | -$0 |
Philadelphia | PA | - Nat: $96,478 | $38,509 /yr | - | -$0 |
Bethlehem | PA | - Nat: $96,478 | $36,931 /yr | - | -$0 |
Pittsburgh | PA | - Nat: $96,478 | $30,434 /yr | - | -$0 |
Providence | RI | - Nat: $96,478 | $25,184 /yr | - | -$0 |
Rapid City | SD | - Nat: $96,478 | $20,183 /yr | - | -$0 |
Vermillion | SD | - Nat: $96,478 | $19,858 /yr | - | -$0 |
Memphis | TN | - Nat: $96,478 | $12,397 /yr | - | -$0 |
Knoxville | TN | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,976 /yr | - | -$0 |
Nashville | TN | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,846 /yr | - | -$0 |
Waco | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $41,104 /yr | - | -$0 |
East Texas A&M University ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. Commerce | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $11,841 /yr | - | -$0 |
University of Houston-Clear Lake ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. Houston | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,563 /yr | - | -$0 |
Edinburg | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $4,831 /yr | - | -$0 |
Houston | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,370 /yr | - | -$0 |
San Marcos | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,805 /yr | - | -$0 |
College Station | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $21,315 /yr | - | -$0 |
The University of Texas at Arlington ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. Arlington | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,951 /yr | - | -$0 |
Austin | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $19,857 /yr | - | -$0 |
Richardson | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,267 /yr | - | -$0 |
El Paso | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $9,403 /yr | - | -$0 |
Fort Worth | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $36,660 /yr | - | -$0 |
San Antonio | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $10,836 /yr | - | -$0 |
Lubbock | TX | - Nat: $96,478 | $19,070 /yr | - | -$0 |
Provo | UT | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,564 /yr | - | -$0 |
Logan | UT | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,936 /yr | - | -$0 |
Salt Lake City | UT | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,200 /yr | - | -$0 |
Williamsburg | VA | - Nat: $96,478 | $19,096 /yr | - | -$0 |
Newport News | VA | - Nat: $96,478 | $23,015 /yr | - | -$0 |
Fairfax | VA | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,915 /yr | - | -$0 |
Hampton | VA | - Nat: $96,478 | $25,319 /yr | - | -$0 |
Norfolk State University ⚠️ Caution: This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate its ROI. Norfolk | VA | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,282 /yr | - | -$0 |
Norfolk | VA | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,638 /yr | - | -$0 |
Blacksburg | VA | - Nat: $96,478 | $24,953 /yr | - | -$0 |
Richmond | VA | - Nat: $96,478 | $23,433 /yr | - | -$0 |
Charlottesville | VA | - Nat: $96,478 | $21,565 /yr | - | -$0 |
Pullman | WA | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,971 /yr | - | -$0 |
Morgantown | WV | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,634 /yr | - | -$0 |
Madison | WI | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,354 /yr | - | -$0 |
Milwaukee | WI | - Nat: $96,478 | $15,014 /yr | - | -$0 |
Laramie | WY | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,599 /yr | - | -$0 |
Mayaguez | PR | - Nat: $96,478 | $17,936 /yr | - | -$0 |
San Juan | PR | - Nat: $96,478 | $9,175 /yr | - | -$0 |
Stanford | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,807 /yr | - | -$0 |
West Lafayette | IN | - Nat: $96,478 | $14,600 /yr | - | -$0 |
Waterbury | CT | - Nat: $96,478 | $10,875 /yr | - | -$0 |
Groton | CT | - Nat: $96,478 | $13,807 /yr | - | -$0 |
Stamford | CT | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,798 /yr | - | -$0 |
Merced | CA | - Nat: $96,478 | $11,983 /yr | - | -$0 |
Hartford | CT | - Nat: $96,478 | $16,403 /yr | - | -$0 |
California | PA | - Nat: $96,478 | $18,256 /yr | - | -$0 |
New York | NY | $68,529 Nat: $96,478 4yr Post-Grad | $37,050 /yr | $118,813 | -$104k |
Philadelphia | PA | $60,839 Nat: $96,478 2yr Post-Grad | $28,699 /yr | - | -$135k |
Seattle | WA | $52,107 Nat: $96,478 2yr Post-Grad | $14,091 /yr | - | -$193k |
Durham | NC | $53,984 Nat: $96,478 2yr Post-Grad | $29,612 /yr | - | -$203k |
Analysis Notes:
- Lifetime Value Added: Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median bachelor's degree holder, accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes.
- Avg Net Price: The average price paid by students who receive federal financial aid (grants/loans).Note: For graduate programs, the institution's average undergraduate net price is used as a proxy for annual cost, which may differ from actual graduate tuition and net price.
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.