Physics at Northeastern University

Northeastern's physics program sits solidly in the middle of Massachusetts options—matching the state median exactly at $49,399—but that middle-tier position deserves scrutiny given the school's elite 6% admission rate and 1505 average SAT. Students with those credentials could potentially access MIT's physics program, where graduates earn $54,773, a 10% premium that compounds significantly over a career.

The debt picture looks encouraging at first glance: $26,797 falls well below national norms (11th percentile for debt burden), creating a manageable 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, the small sample size—under 30 graduates—means one or two outlier outcomes could swing these numbers considerably. Physics majors at this level often pursue graduate school, which delays earnings but opens doors to research and specialized roles that bachelor's-level data can't capture.

For families paying premium tuition at a highly selective university, the question is whether average physics outcomes justify the investment. The program performs adequately but not exceptionally, ranking 60th percentile in Massachusetts—respectable but unremarkable. If your child is set on physics at Northeastern specifically (perhaps for co-op opportunities or urban research access), the reasonable debt levels provide cushion. But if physics is the priority over the institution, comparable or better outcomes may be available at less selective schools with lower price tags.