Physics at Gordon College

A debt load of $23,120 for a bachelor's degree in physics positions Gordon College graduates reasonably well, with estimated first-year earnings around $49,400 based on what similar Massachusetts physics programs report. That 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio means roughly five months of gross pay to cover the debt—manageable territory that shouldn't derail early-career financial stability. Physics graduates from comparable Massachusetts programs like UMass Lowell and Northeastern typically see similar starting salaries, suggesting Gordon's estimate reflects realistic market conditions for the major rather than any school-specific premium or penalty.

What's harder to gauge here is trajectory. Gordon's relatively small physics program means we're working entirely from peer data rather than actual graduate outcomes. The national median for physics bachelor's degrees sits at $47,670, so Massachusetts programs generally outpace that benchmark by a few thousand dollars. But without Gordon-specific data, parents can't assess whether this particular program successfully places graduates in research positions, graduate schools, or industry roles—the pathways that typically determine whether physics majors reach the field's higher earning potential.

The math works on paper, but you're essentially betting that Gordon's physics training delivers outcomes consistent with state peers. If your student is committed to physics and Gordon offers meaningful research opportunities or strong graduate school placement, the debt level won't sink them. Just know you're making that decision with estimates filling in where this program's actual track record should be.