Physics at Colorado College

Colorado College's highly selective physics program produces estimated first-year earnings around $41,874—slightly below the national median of $47,670 for physics bachelor's degrees. Based on comparable physics programs in Colorado, these earnings put graduates near the middle of the state's range, trailing Colorado State's $51,927 but ahead of Northern Colorado's $34,373. For a school with a 1445 average SAT and just 20% admission rate, you might expect stronger early outcomes.

The estimated $23,120 in debt, derived from similar private colleges nationally, creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55. That's roughly half a year's salary—reasonable by today's standards. Physics graduates typically see substantial earnings growth as they move into research positions, graduate programs, or technical roles, so the modest starting point may matter less than career trajectory. Still, peer programs show that stronger initial earnings are achievable within the same state.

The data limitation here matters: without actual reported outcomes from Colorado College's physics graduates, you're making this decision based on broader patterns rather than this program's specific track record. If your child is drawn to Colorado College's block plan and intimate learning environment, the estimated financial picture doesn't raise red flags. But if the physics degree itself is the priority, programs like Colorado State appear to launch graduates into higher-paying positions right away.