Physics at Rockhurst University

A debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.50 puts this program in manageable territory, but the limited graduate pool at Rockhurst—too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes—means you're working with national averages for physics degrees rather than school-specific results. Similar programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $47,670 with debt near $23,120, which translates to roughly half a year's salary in loans. That's workable math, especially for a field with strong mid-career prospects.

What complicates the picture is Missouri context. Other physics programs in the state typically produce median debt of just $16,005—about $7,000 less than the national estimate applied here. That gap matters when you're comparing options. Physics degrees can lead to graduate school, engineering roles, or data science careers, but the path isn't always linear, and starting salaries vary widely depending on whether graduates pursue additional education or enter the workforce directly.

The small cohort size cuts both ways. It might mean personalized attention and strong faculty relationships, or it could signal limited resources and networking opportunities compared to larger programs. Given the estimates and the debt differential within Missouri, you'll want to dig into Rockhurst's specific career outcomes, graduate school placement rates, and how their physics curriculum compares to state peers before committing.