Physics at Georgia College & State University

Georgia College's physics program punches well above its weight, with first-year earnings of $62,478 placing it in the 95th percentile nationally—$15,000 above the typical physics bachelor's graduate and double what Georgia State's physics majors earn. While the school's $23,424 debt figure is estimated from similar institutions nationally (the graduate sample here is too small for the DOE to publish), comparable physics programs across the country carry nearly identical debt loads at $23,304, suggesting this estimate is reasonable. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 means graduates would owe roughly four and a half months of their first-year salary.

This outcome is particularly impressive given Georgia College's 88% admission rate and modest average SAT of 1150—this isn't a hyperselective program skimming the top of the applicant pool. The earnings advantage suggests strong placement outcomes, whether graduates are entering industry positions, research roles, or technical fields where physics training commands premium pay. At 80th percentile within Georgia, the program is clearly doing something right compared to other in-state options.

The uncertainty around the exact debt figure shouldn't overshadow the standout earnings performance. Even if actual debt ran 20% higher than estimated, the program would still offer one of the stronger financial outcomes in physics education. For families concerned about STEM degree value, this program delivers measurably better results than most alternatives.