Physics at Ave Maria University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 is manageable for a physics degree, though the estimated $47,670 first-year earnings trail what similar programs in Florida typically produce. Physics majors across the state's 19 programs earn a median of $50,960 their first year out—roughly $3,300 more than what comparable programs nationally suggest for Ave Maria graduates. That gap widens when you look at the state's largest programs: UCF physics graduates start around $55,826, nearly $8,000 higher.

The estimated $23,120 in debt sits close to both state and national medians for physics degrees, which helps explain the reasonable debt ratio. But here's the complication: these figures come from peer institutions, not Ave Maria's actual graduate outcomes. The school's physics program is too small for the Department of Education to report specific data, so we're extrapolating from national physics programs and similar small private universities.

For parents, this means accepting significant uncertainty about what your student will actually experience. If Ave Maria's outcomes match these estimates, you're looking at a financially viable path—physics degrees generally justify their cost. But without confirmation from real graduate data, you're essentially betting that this small Florida program performs like the national average. If your student is considering physics seriously, compare financial aid packages carefully against Florida's larger state programs where outcomes are documented.