Physical Sciences at Empire State University

Empire State University's physical sciences program punches significantly above its weight nationally, with graduates earning $59,562—a full $12,000 more than the typical physical sciences bachelor's degree holder. That's 95th percentile performance against national competitors, achieved with manageable debt just under $24,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 means graduates owe less than five months of their first year's salary, making this one of the most favorable financial propositions in the field.

The New York context tells a more nuanced story. While this program sits at the 60th percentile statewide, that's partly because New York's physical sciences programs overall perform exceptionally well—the state median matches Empire State's own outcomes. With only nine programs statewide, you're looking at a solid middle-of-the-pack performance in a competitive state market, not a weakness.

For families considering this program, the fundamentals are strong: graduates enter the workforce earning more than three-quarters of physical sciences majors nationwide, with debt that won't dominate their financial lives. The 35% Pell grant enrollment suggests Empire State serves economically diverse students successfully. This is particularly valuable for a physical sciences degree, where lab-intensive coursework can drive up costs at other institutions.