Physics at Greenville University

Greenville's physics degree comes with estimated debt of $23,120 and projected first-year earnings around $47,670—figures derived from similar bachelor's physics programs nationally. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 suggests manageable repayment, though it's worth noting that comparable physics programs in Illinois typically produce stronger outcomes, with median earnings of $51,019. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the state's flagship physics program, hits exactly that state median.

The financial picture appears reasonable on paper, but physics graduates often pursue additional education before entering their full earning potential. If your child plans on graduate school, that $23,000 in undergraduate debt becomes the foundation of a larger financial commitment. The school's 95% admission rate and modest SAT scores also suggest a less competitive academic environment than what you'd find at research universities where physics students typically thrive.

Given the small graduate cohort that prompted data suppression, you're looking at a program without a proven track record of placement outcomes. For a field where laboratory resources, research opportunities, and faculty credentials matter enormously, the lack of verifiable data makes this a higher-risk proposition than established programs with documented results. If graduate school is the plan, starting at a program with demonstrated success placing students into quality physics PhD programs would be the safer investment.