Physics at Carthage College

Physics graduates from Wisconsin programs typically earn around $54,400 in their first year—a figure that puts them slightly above the national median for the field. For Carthage, comparable programs at similar institutions suggest debt around $23,000, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42. That's manageable by any standard, suggesting graduates could realistically pay off loans within a few years while establishing their careers.

What's worth noting is how Wisconsin physics programs vary widely in outcomes. UW-River Falls reports $62,000 in first-year earnings, while even UW-Madison—despite its strong reputation—shows graduates starting at just $37,000. This spread reflects the reality that early physics salaries depend heavily on what graduates do next: graduate school, teaching, engineering roles, or data science positions all pay differently. The estimated $54,000 figure for programs like Carthage's falls in the middle of this range, suggesting decent but not exceptional positioning for whatever comes next.

The reasonable debt load matters more here than the specific starting salary. Physics degrees often serve as springboards to graduate programs or career pivots into higher-paying fields like software development or engineering. With estimated debt at just 42% of first-year earnings—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold—graduates would have flexibility to pursue those options without being financially trapped. Just understand these figures come from peer programs rather than Carthage's own graduates, so your child's actual outcome will depend on their post-graduation path.