Bachelor's-5% vs national median45 grads tracked
Physics at Western Illinois University
Ranked 102nd of 165 bachelor's programs in Physics by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$65,986
middle 50%: $38,967 – $75,801
Median · 5 years out
$72,585
middle 50%: $45,557 – $100,194
Median · 10 years out
$126,300
middle 50%: $78,278 – $142,462
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 Western Illinois University's bachelor's program in Physics earn a median $65,986 one year after graduating, rising to $126,300 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $76,251 for this field, ranking 102nd 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
5.1 yrs
≈ $5,442 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Illinois Chicago
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Angelo State University
$73,594 · 5 yrs out
College of Charleston
$73,075 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$73,075 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$72,422 · 5 yrs out
Southern Connecticut State University
$72,273 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego)
$71,899 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$71,605 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Illinois University
Education (Doctorate)
$163,593 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$107,538 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$98,269 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Master's)
$97,417 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$97,160 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,133 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$96,422 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$84,414 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$82,090 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$82,014 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$81,320 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$80,729 · 5 yrs out