Physics at DePauw University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 looks manageable on paper, but the numbers behind it deserve scrutiny. Based on national peer programs, DePauw physics graduates might expect around $47,670 in first-year earnings with roughly $23,120 in debt—figures that suggest a reasonable financial start. However, these are estimates drawn from similar programs nationwide since DePauw's physics cohort is too small for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes.

The gap between these national estimates and Indiana's reality is striking. Purdue's physics graduates—the only Indiana program with reported data—earn just $30,203 their first year, a full 37% below the national figure used to estimate DePauw's outcomes. If DePauw's actual results track closer to Indiana norms than national ones, that same debt load becomes significantly harder to manage. A small liberal arts college may offer advantages in mentorship and graduate school preparation that justify its cost, but physics programs at research universities often provide stronger industry connections and equipment access.

For families considering this path, the key question is whether DePauw's environment justifies paying for unknowns. The estimated figures provide a best-case scenario based on national averages, but Indiana's physics market appears considerably tougher. Before committing, probe hard on where recent graduates actually landed and what they're earning—not what similar programs elsewhere suggest might happen.