WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-2% vs national median238 grads tracked

Physics at Pennsylvania State University (The)

Ranked 92nd of 165 bachelor's programs in Physics by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$52,527
middle 50%: $31,905 – $79,787
Median · 5 years out
$74,560
middle 50%: $46,497 – $111,589
Median · 10 years out
$116,620
middle 50%: $80,258 – $159,361

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 Pennsylvania State University (The)'s bachelor's program in Physics earn a median $52,527 one year after graduating, rising to $116,620 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $76,251 for this field, ranking 92nd 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
5.6 yrs
≈ $6,314 total interest

Same major at other universities

Illinois State University
$75,253 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$75,224 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$74,872 · 5 yrs out
Roanoke College
$74,872 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$74,805 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$74,643 · 5 yrs out
Lewis University
$74,457 · 5 yrs out
College of William & Mary
$74,457 · 5 yrs out
Appalachian State University
$74,415 · 5 yrs out
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

Other majors at Pennsylvania State University (The)

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$182,178 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$177,057 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$143,044 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$135,252 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$130,869 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$122,394 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$116,440 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$115,495 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's)
$115,004 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$114,831 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,734 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,727 · 5 yrs out

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