Physics at Merrimack College

Similar physics programs in Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $49,400—right at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark of $47,700. With estimated debt of $23,100, Merrimack's physics graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, meaning roughly half their first-year salary would cover the loan balance. That's a manageable starting point for a STEM field, particularly one that typically leads to graduate school or technical roles where salaries climb significantly.

The challenge is that we're working entirely with estimates here—both earnings and debt figures come from peer programs rather than Merrimack's actual outcomes. The Massachusetts physics landscape shows considerable variation, from MIT's $54,800 down to UMass Lowell's $48,300, so your child's actual trajectory could differ based on factors like graduate school plans, research opportunities, or connections to Boston's biotech and defense industries. Physics is also a credential where the bachelor's degree often serves as a stepping stone rather than a terminal degree, which affects how you should evaluate the initial debt load.

For a selective program at an accessible school (74% admission rate), this estimated picture suggests reasonable value if your child is committed to physics and has a clear path forward—whether that's graduate study, engineering work, or technical roles in industry. The debt level won't lock them into desperate job choices, but verify whether Merrimack provides strong research experiences and graduate school placement, since those factors matter more than first-year earnings for physics majors.