Bachelor's+1% vs national median212 grads tracked
Physics at Purdue University
Ranked 71st of 165 bachelor's programs in Physics by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$45,751
middle 50%: $27,950 – $69,154
Median · 5 years out
$76,854
middle 50%: $48,809 – $105,449
Median · 10 years out
$111,832
middle 50%: $83,179 – $154,543
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 Purdue University's bachelor's program in Physics earn a median $45,751 one year after graduating, rising to $111,832 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% above the national median of $76,251 for this field, ranking 71st 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
≈ $6,740 total interest
Same major at other universities
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 Colorado Boulder
$77,430 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$77,044 · 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
Oregon State University
$76,435 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$76,251 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Purdue University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$141,828 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Doctorate)
$122,253 · 5 yrs out