Bachelor's+2% vs national median321 grads tracked
Physics at University of Colorado Boulder
Ranked 69th of 165 bachelor's programs in Physics by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$43,402
middle 50%: $30,081 – $63,907
Median · 5 years out
$77,430
middle 50%: $49,731 – $104,653
Median · 10 years out
$99,824
middle 50%: $69,277 – $151,838
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 University of Colorado Boulder's bachelor's program in Physics earn a median $43,402 one year after graduating, rising to $99,824 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% above the national median of $76,251 for this field, ranking 69th 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
5.8 yrs
≈ $6,906 total interest
Same major at other universities
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
University of Northern Iowa
$77,631 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$77,044 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$76,854 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Buffalo State University
$76,770 · 5 yrs out
Randolph College
$76,770 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$76,644 · 5 yrs out
James Madison University
$76,644 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Colorado Boulder
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$179,121 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$162,413 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$136,557 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$134,060 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$121,503 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$121,397 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$118,475 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$115,546 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,642 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$111,405 · 5 yrs out
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,066 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$104,453 · 5 yrs out