Physics at Salisbury University

Salisbury University's physics program punches above its weight, placing graduates in the 75th percentile nationally for earnings—a standout result for a regional university with an 89% admission rate. The $54,548 starting salary beats the national median by $7,000 and exceeds even the prestigious University of Maryland-College Park by nearly $15,000, though that comparison comes with major caveats about small sample sizes and different career paths.

The debt picture is reasonable: $23,750 represents less than half a year's starting salary, and earnings jump 36% to nearly $74,000 by year four. Among Maryland's 15 physics programs, this ranks solidly in the 60th percentile—good but not exceptional at the state level. The trajectory suggests graduates are finding solid technical positions, likely in government contracting or defense-related work given Maryland's employment landscape.

The critical caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset means these numbers could shift significantly with just a few high or low earners. But the combination of affordable debt, strong starting salaries, and healthy earnings growth makes this an attractive option for Maryland students interested in physics, especially compared to pricier alternatives. Just understand you're looking at a snapshot that might not fully represent typical outcomes.