Est. Earnings (1yr)
$47,670
Est. from national median (75 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$23,120
Est. from national median (20 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 looks manageable on paper, but context matters: comparable Physics programs in Pennsylvania typically produce first-year earnings around $68,000—substantially higher than the $47,670 this program tracks toward based on national medians. That $20,000 gap is significant when you're facing loan payments, and it suggests Moravian's Physics graduates may be competing in a different employment market than their Penn State or University of Pennsylvania counterparts. The estimated $23,120 debt figure aligns closely with national norms for the credential, but paired with below-state earnings, it creates a tighter financial picture than many Pennsylvania families might expect.

Physics degrees typically open doors to research positions, graduate school, or technical roles in industry, but outcomes vary widely based on curriculum rigor, internship pipelines, and regional employer connections. Without actual graduate outcomes for this specific program, there's real uncertainty about whether Moravian's smaller scale translates to close faculty mentorship and research opportunities, or simply fewer industry connections than larger Pennsylvania programs command. The 54% admission rate and modest test scores suggest this isn't competing for the same student pool as research universities, which may also signal different graduate school and career trajectories.

If your child is committed to Physics and values a small-college environment, understand you're accepting meaningful uncertainty about post-graduation outcomes and likely lower first-year earnings than state peers produce. That's a trade-off worth making only if the fit is exceptional.

Where Moravian University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all physics bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Physics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (48 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Moravian UniversityBethlehem$52,000$47,670*$23,120*
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia$66,104$68,215**
National Median$47,670*$23,304*0.49
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with physics graduates

Physicists

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

$166,290/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Moravian University, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 75 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.