Physics at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State's physics program produces first-year earnings of $51,927—well above both the state median of $41,874 and the national median of $47,670. That's a meaningful advantage over peer programs, including the University of Colorado Boulder, which typically sees graduates earning $41,874. The program ranks in the 66th percentile nationally, suggesting CSU's physics grads enter the workforce with a competitive edge.

The debt picture here is an estimate based on national patterns across similar institutions, since graduate numbers were too small for the DOE to report actual figures. At roughly $23,424, that estimated debt translates to a 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. That's manageable territory for a STEM degree, particularly when starting salaries are above $50,000. Physics graduates often pursue additional degrees or specialized roles that can take time to materialize, but this earnings level provides reasonable runway.

The key question is whether your student is committed to physics specifically or exploring STEM broadly. If they're certain about physics, CSU's combination of strong early earnings and accessible admissions (90% acceptance rate) makes it worth serious consideration. The caveat is that debt figures are estimated rather than actual, so meeting with financial aid to get precise numbers for your family's situation matters more here than usual.