Physics at Boise State University

Boise State's physics program carries meaningful debt for below-average starting salaries, though the small graduating class (under 30 students) means individual circumstances vary widely. At $45,813 first-year earnings, graduates earn slightly less than the national physics median of $47,670, though they do rank in the top half among Idaho's limited physics options. The $26,175 in typical debt translates to a 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio—manageable but not exceptional for a STEM field where stronger performers often see ratios below 0.40.

The real concern is whether these earnings justify the investment when physics graduates nationally often command more. With only five Idaho schools offering physics degrees, you're comparing against a narrow field. If your child is set on physics and staying in-state makes financial sense, Boise State provides solid access at a broad-admission university. But if they're considering out-of-state options or could access more competitive programs, they should weigh whether the lower debt elsewhere or higher earning potential justifies that choice.

Given the small sample, one or two graduates' career choices could dramatically shift these numbers. Talk to the department about where recent graduates actually land—national labs, graduate school, teaching positions—to understand if this data reflects temporary patterns or genuine program outcomes.