Physics at New York University

NYU's physics program produces troubling outcomes that contradict everything you'd expect from an elite institution with single-digit admission and sky-high SAT scores. One year after graduation, physics majors earn a median of just $24,802—less than half the national median of $47,670 and barely more than half the state median of $48,641. This ranks in the bottom 10th percentile among New York physics programs, trailing not just Cornell and RPI but also CUNY City College by nearly double.

The debt load of $22,750 isn't extreme by NYU standards, but paired with those earnings it creates a debt-to-income ratio just under 1.0—meaning graduates owe nearly a full year's salary. Compare this to CUNY City College physics majors who earn almost twice as much with similar debt levels, or Stony Brook graduates who earn $44,562. Even accounting for physics majors pursuing graduate school (which might depress initial earnings), these numbers are alarmingly low for a program drawing such accomplished students.

Something is clearly broken here. Whether it's a cohort heavily pursuing unpaid research positions, graduate school stipends dragging down the median, or simply poor career services for physics majors, a $25,000 starting salary from one of the world's most expensive universities represents a catastrophic return on investment. Unless your child has specific graduate school plans with clear funding, the in-state CUNY or SUNY options offer vastly better value.