Physics at Augustana College

At $23,120 in estimated debt against first-year earnings around $47,670, this physics degree appears to track with manageable national patterns—similar programs typically produce a debt-to-earnings ratio below 0.5, which is considered reasonable. However, it's important to recognize that these figures come from peer institutions rather than Augustana's actual graduate outcomes, which aren't publicly available due to small sample sizes.

The more revealing comparison is within Illinois itself. Similar physics programs in the state typically generate median earnings of $51,019—about $3,300 more annually than what national benchmarks suggest for this program. That gap, while not enormous, compounds over time. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's physics graduates, for instance, start at that higher state median, meaning the difference between schools could approach $15,000-20,000 over a five-year period.

Physics degrees generally lead to solid employment outcomes, but the specific training, research opportunities, and industry connections at individual schools matter considerably. Without actual earnings data from Augustana's physics graduates, you're betting on the program performing at least as well as typical physics programs nationally. The debt load appears manageable either way, but if your student is serious about physics and can access Illinois' flagship program or similar options, the earnings advantage suggested by state-level data is worth weighing against any additional cost or admissions difficulty.