Physics at Furman University

A $23,000 debt load for physics training at a selective liberal arts college represents a manageable starting point, particularly when comparable programs nationally show similar borrowing patterns. The estimated first-year earnings of $47,670—drawn from national physics bachelor's programs—translate to a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. For context, physics bachelor's graduates nationally cluster tightly around this $48K mark, with three-quarters earning under $55K in their first year out.

What distinguishes Furman is the small-college physics experience combined with relatively contained costs. The school's 1364 average SAT and 53% admission rate suggest a strong peer group, while the low Pell enrollment (11%) points to a well-resourced student body. Physics majors from schools like Furman often pursue graduate study or enter fields where the bachelor's degree is just the entry point—quantitative finance, engineering, data science—making that initial $48K less significant than the foundation it provides.

The limitation here is obvious: we're working with national estimates because Furman's physics cohorts are too small for the DOE to report. That means no certainty about whether Furman's specific outcomes match, exceed, or fall short of peer programs. For a family comfortable with the overall cost structure and confident their student will leverage the degree strategically, the estimated debt burden looks reasonable. But acknowledge you're buying access to Furman's environment and network, not a guaranteed earnings outcome.