Physics at DePaul University

A physics degree from DePaul comes with estimated debt of $23,120—slightly below what similar programs nationally report—but the bigger question is whether first-year earnings in the mid-$40,000s justify it. Comparable bachelor's physics programs across the country suggest starting salaries around $47,670, which creates a debt-to-earnings ratio just under 0.5. That's manageable on paper, but notably lower than what Illinois programs typically produce. The state median sits above $51,000, suggesting DePaul's physics graduates may face a steeper climb than their peers at other Illinois schools, where University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign physics majors report starting at that higher figure.

The challenge with physics is that many graduates need graduate school to unlock the field's real earning potential, which means this debt represents just the down payment on their education. For students planning to stop at a bachelor's degree and work immediately, these estimated figures suggest limited financial cushion in expensive Chicago—particularly if they're pursuing research positions or teaching roles rather than pivoting to engineering or data science where physics skills command higher premiums.

If your child is set on physics at DePaul, understand you're working from peer program estimates, not this school's actual track record. The financial case depends heavily on what comes next: graduate school, career pivots, or geographic moves. A physics degree is versatile, but at this estimated debt level with these projected earnings, it requires strategic career planning from day one.