Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5 is manageable territory, and that's what comparable physics bachelor's programs nationally suggest: roughly $23,400 in debt against $47,670 in first-year earnings. But The Citadel's unique military college structure deserves careful consideration here. Physics graduates from similar programs typically recover their investment within a reasonable timeframe, though this isn't a lucrative field immediately out of college compared to engineering or computer science alternatives.
What complicates the picture is The Citadel's 98% admission rate paired with a modest SAT average of 1184—physics is demanding coursework, and success rates matter when you're borrowing $23,000. The military college environment offers structure and discipline that some students need to excel in STEM, but it's not for everyone. If your child thrives under regimentation and is genuinely committed to physics rather than just considering STEM broadly, the structured environment could justify the investment.
The honest assessment: we're working with estimates from peer programs since The Citadel's physics cohort is too small to report separately. If your child is serious about physics graduate school or specialized careers requiring this foundation, the degree has value. But if they're undecided or exploring options, a more affordable in-state program with actual outcomes data would reduce risk while keeping similar doors open.
Where Citadel Military College of South Carolina Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all physics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Physics bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston | $12,570 | $47,670* | — | $23,424* | — |
 University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte | $7,214 | $70,150* | — | $28,750* | 0.41 |
 Brigham Young UniversityProvo | $6,496 | $68,664* | $76,268 | —* | — |
 University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia | $66,104 | $68,215* | — | —* | — |
 Whitworth UniversitySpokane | $50,920 | $65,316* | — | $23,250* | 0.36 |
 California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona | $7,439 | $64,045* | $51,682 | $23,000* | 0.36 |
| National Median | — | $47,670* | — | $23,304* | 0.49 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with physics graduates
Physicists
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Citadel Military College of South Carolina, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 75 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.