Bachelor's-3% vs national median34 grads tracked
Physics at West Virginia University
Ranked 98th of 165 bachelor's programs in Physics by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$26,659
middle 50%: $21,518 – $37,592
Median · 5 years out
$74,301
middle 50%: $34,630 – $102,295
Median · 10 years out
$102,841
middle 50%: $71,899 – $143,232
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 West Virginia University's bachelor's program in Physics earn a median $26,659 one year after graduating, rising to $102,841 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% below the national median of $76,251 for this field, ranking 98th 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
6.7 yrs
≈ $8,545 total interest
Same major at other universities
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$74,560 · 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
Angelo State University
$73,594 · 5 yrs out
College of Charleston
$73,075 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$73,075 · 5 yrs out
Western Illinois University
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at West Virginia University
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$165,016 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$156,627 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,069 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,321 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$128,840 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$122,766 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$113,771 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,107 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,311 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,203 · 5 yrs out