Physics at Cornell University

Cornell's physics graduates leave with remarkably low debt—just $15,961, well below both the national median of $23,304 and New York's $20,270. That's the program's strongest selling point. The first-year earnings of $50,933 are solid, landing above the 60th percentile among New York physics programs, though they trail regional competitors like Rensselaer ($60,348) by a notable margin. For context, this puts Cornell ahead of SUNY flagships but behind RPI's engineering-focused outcomes.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 is excellent—graduates owe less than four months of salary. However, parents should understand they're paying Ivy League tuition for middle-of-the-pack physics outcomes within the state. While Cornell's admission selectivity (8% acceptance rate, 1520 average SAT) signals an elite student body, the earnings data suggests physics graduates here aren't seeing the same premium that Cornell delivers in other fields.

The value proposition depends heavily on net cost. If your family qualifies for substantial financial aid at Cornell, that low debt figure becomes even more attractive. But if you're paying close to full freight while a SUNY option would cost significantly less, the earnings data doesn't justify a major price premium for undergraduate physics alone—especially if graduate school is likely.