Physics at Queens University of Charlotte

Physics programs in North Carolina cluster around $62,000 in first-year earnings, and Queens appears positioned right in that range—though these figures come from just three reporting schools statewide, including UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State. The estimated $23,120 debt load puts Queens roughly in line with typical physics programs nationally, creating a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio that should allow graduates to service their loans without hardship.

What's encouraging here is that even the estimated earnings substantially exceed the national median of $47,670 for physics bachelor's programs. North Carolina's physics graduates generally command stronger starting salaries than their peers elsewhere, possibly reflecting the state's research triangle economy and growing tech sector. Queens' moderate selectivity and smaller physics cohort (hence the suppressed data) might actually work in students' favor through closer faculty relationships and research opportunities that larger programs struggle to provide.

The practical reality: if your child thrives in smaller academic settings and wants to stay in North Carolina's growing STEM job market, the estimated financial picture looks reasonable. The debt burden is modest enough that pursuing graduate school—often necessary for physics careers—remains viable. Just recognize you're making this decision with limited program-specific data; visiting campus and talking to current physics students about their research experiences and job placement would fill crucial gaps.