Physics at Saint Norbert College

At $23,120 in estimated debt, this physics program appears more affordable than most Wisconsin peers, which typically carry around $26,000 in debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests graduates from similar programs earn enough to manage repayment—first-year earnings estimated at $54,428 match the Wisconsin median for physics bachelor's programs and actually exceed the national benchmark of $47,670.

What makes this estimate particularly useful is how it compares to actual reported outcomes from other Wisconsin physics programs. UW-River Falls graduates earn about $8,000 more initially, while UW-Madison's lower starting figure likely reflects graduate school enrollment rather than weaker outcomes. Saint Norbert's profile—with a 92% admission rate and moderate SAT scores—suggests it serves a different student population than flagship research universities, yet peer programs at similar institutions produce competitive physics graduates.

The practical takeaway: physics degrees from regional liberal arts colleges in Wisconsin appear to deliver solid value when debt stays in the low-to-mid twenties. Your child would likely face manageable repayment on a salary that exceeds both national and state medians for this field. The real question is whether Saint Norbert's smaller program size (hence the suppressed data) means fewer research opportunities or tighter networking, factors you'll want to explore during a campus visit.