Physics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

With estimated debt of $23,120 and first-year earnings around $47,670 drawn from national physics programs, this represents a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49—less than half of first-year income. That's considerably better than many bachelor's degrees, though parents should recognize these figures come from peer programs nationwide rather than tracked outcomes of Embry-Riddle Prescott physics graduates specifically.

The estimated earnings here align with the national median for physics bachelor's degrees but stand notably above Arizona's state median of $30,503. This gap likely reflects the broader aerospace and defense industry presence in Arizona that favors Embry-Riddle's specialized reputation. The school's 1256 average SAT score suggests a reasonably selective student body, and with only 17% of students receiving Pell grants, this is largely a middle-to-upper-income student population. The debt estimate, based on other programs at this institution, comes in slightly below the national physics median.

The practical limitation here is straightforward: without actual graduate outcomes, you're making an informed guess based on what happens at comparable schools. If your student is specifically drawn to Embry-Riddle's aerospace connections and physics applications in aviation, the institutional fit might justify the leap. But ask the admissions office directly about physics graduate placement—where students actually land jobs and at what salaries—before committing to a program whose outcomes remain officially unreported.