Physics at Le Moyne College

A debt load around $20,000 for a physics degree represents a manageable financial starting point, particularly when peer programs in New York suggest first-year earnings near $49,000. That 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates from similar programs could pay off their loans in less than six months of gross income—a threshold most financial advisors consider comfortable. For context, physics programs nationally carry a median debt of $23,000, so Le Moyne's estimate comes in slightly below average.

The challenge lies in what we don't know. Because Le Moyne's physics cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish specific outcomes, these figures reflect what's typical across other New York physics programs rather than Le Moyne's track record. The estimated earnings align almost exactly with the state median, but actual outcomes at this specific school could vary—particularly since Le Moyne's admitted students (average SAT of 1260) fall between research powerhouses like Cornell and regional public universities. Physics is generally a reliable major for employability, but small program size can mean fewer dedicated lab resources, research opportunities, or physics-specific career connections.

The numbers suggest reasonable value if your child is passionate about physics and Le Moyne offers the right environment. However, the lack of reported data makes it difficult to assess whether this particular program consistently launches graduates into physics-related careers or graduate school—outcomes that matter more than first-year salary alone for this field.