Physics at Brigham Young University

BYU's physics program produces earnings that place it in the top tier nationally—$68,664 in the first year outpaces 95% of physics bachelor's programs across the country. While the debt figure of $23,120 is estimated from similar programs at the school (the graduate sample was too small to report actual debt), it suggests a manageable burden at roughly four months of first-year salary. That's a notably better debt picture than most STEM programs, where students often graduate owing closer to a full year's salary.

What's striking is how BYU's outcomes compare to the state's only other program with published data: University of Utah physics grads start at $38,748, nearly $30,000 less. This gap is unusual enough to warrant understanding what's driving it—whether it's BYU's specific curriculum focus, stronger industry connections in certain sectors, or differences in where graduates land geographically. The 11% earnings growth to year four is modest but reasonable for physics grads, who often see bigger jumps later in their careers as they move into specialized roles.

For an anxious parent, this looks like a strong value proposition if the estimated debt holds true. The key uncertainty is whether this specific cohort's actual debt aligns with that national estimate. If your student can graduate near that $23,000 figure, the math works decisively in favor of this program.