Physics at Saint Mary's College

A physics bachelor's from Saint Mary's College carries an estimated $23,120 in debt—just below the national median for this field—but the real question is whether the earning potential justifies it. Based on national benchmarks for similar programs, first-year earnings around $47,670 would place graduates well above Indiana's state median of $30,203 for physics programs, suggesting stronger post-graduation outcomes than most in-state alternatives. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 is manageable, particularly for a STEM field where earnings typically grow substantially beyond the first year.

The catch is that these figures are derived from comparable programs nationally, not Saint Mary's own graduate outcomes. The small sample size that prompted data suppression could mean anything from a program producing just a handful of graduates annually to one with highly variable post-graduation paths. Indiana's physics programs show wide variation—even Purdue's reported median sits at $30,203, well below the national figure—so local job market realities may differ from national patterns.

For parents evaluating this investment, the fundamentals look solid: the debt level is reasonable, physics degrees generally offer strong career flexibility, and Saint Mary's admission profile suggests solid academic preparation. However, you're betting on national trends holding true for a program without its own track record. Consider reaching out directly to the department about placement patterns and graduate school acceptance rates—concrete examples of where recent graduates have landed would fill the gap these estimates leave open.