Bachelor's+3% vs national median116 grads tracked
Physics at Colorado State University
Ranked 61st of 165 bachelor's programs in Physics by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$54,615
middle 50%: $31,905 – $86,367
Median · 5 years out
$78,915
middle 50%: $59,353 – $101,194
Median · 10 years out
$117,305
middle 50%: $86,086 – $139,528
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Physics (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Graduates of Colorado State University's bachelor's program in Physics earn a median $54,615 one year after graduating, rising to $117,305 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% above the national median of $76,251 for this field, ranking 61st of 165 reporting programs.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
5.3 yrs
≈ $6,011 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Missouri - Columbia
$79,157 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Kansas City
$79,157 · 5 yrs out
Presbyterian College
$79,157 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Dallas
$79,157 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$79,032 · 5 yrs out
Saint Olaf College
$78,948 · 5 yrs out
Norfolk State University
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$78,305 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University of Denver
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Augusta University
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Macalester College
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama in Huntsville
$77,631 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Colorado State University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$212,009 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$135,185 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$131,863 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$127,509 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$125,457 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Bachelor's)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,842 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$108,642 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$107,710 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$106,687 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$106,500 · 5 yrs out