Engineering Physics at Delaware State University

Delaware State's Engineering Physics program produces graduates earning $54,210 in their first year—below the national median but notably the only option in Delaware for students seeking this degree in-state. The $31,000 debt load translates to a manageable 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly seven months of pre-tax income. While earnings trail the national average by about $3,200, the program carries substantially less debt than typical (5th percentile nationally), which partially offsets the earnings gap.

The real limitation here is confidence in the data. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift dramatically with even small changes in the sample. A single graduate entering a high-paying aerospace role or struggling to find work could swing the median significantly. The 25th percentile national ranking suggests this program doesn't compete with top engineering physics programs at research universities, though Delaware State's mission as an HBCU serving students from modest backgrounds (43% receive Pell grants) means it's fulfilling a different role than elite competitors.

For families committed to staying in Delaware and interested specifically in engineering physics rather than traditional engineering fields, this represents the only local option. The debt level is reasonable enough that graduates have breathing room even if they don't immediately land high-paying positions, but students with competitive profiles might find stronger ROI at out-of-state programs.