Physics at California State University-Long Beach

Cal State Long Beach's physics program starts graduates nearly $8,000 below California's median for physics degrees, ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide—a significant gap when other Cal State campuses like San Bernardino and San Marcos place graduates $15,000 higher at the starting line. That early disadvantage matters because physics careers often require graduate school, and beginning with lower earnings makes funding that next step harder.

The good news is substantial earnings growth: graduates see a 39% jump from $42,000 to $58,600 over four years, suggesting the degree opens doors that take time to walk through. The debt load of $23,200 is reasonable at 55% of first-year earnings, meaning graduates aren't financially hamstrung. But here's the reality check—even after that strong growth, four-year earnings remain below what graduates from Cal Poly Pomona and several UCs earn right out of school.

For a student planning to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, this program's weak starting position is a real concern. If your child is eyeing graduate school or research positions where the Long Beach credential and trajectory matter more than initial salary, the manageable debt keeps doors open. But families banking on physics being a high-earning bachelor's degree should know this particular program underperforms its in-state peers significantly.