Physics at Carleton College

A debt-to-earnings ratio near 0.5 typically signals reasonable financial footing for a bachelor's degree, though peer programs in Minnesota suggest this picture may be conservative. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities reports first-year physics earnings around $54,350—about $7,000 higher than the national median used to estimate Carleton's outcomes. That gap matters when you're looking at a selective liberal arts college with a 22% admission rate and median SAT scores near 1500. Students at this caliber often pursue graduate school or research positions that may not show their full earning potential in year one, which could explain why the estimated earnings trail the state benchmark.

The debt estimate of $23,120 aligns closely with both national and Minnesota medians for physics programs, falling well below the concerning thresholds that would strain typical starter salaries. For a private college of Carleton's selectivity, this figure suggests meaningful financial aid for most students. Still, with only 14% receiving Pell grants, families should verify actual aid packages carefully rather than assuming the median experience will apply to them.

The core question is whether Carleton's physics program delivers value beyond what the numbers capture—graduate school placement, research opportunities, or career outcomes that materialize after year one. If your student plans to work immediately after graduation rather than pursue advanced degrees, the in-state public option shows stronger early earnings at likely lower cost.