Physics at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Southern Arkansas University's physics program punches well above its weight, with graduates earning $58,870 their first year—nearly $11,000 more than the national median for physics majors. That 86th percentile national ranking is particularly impressive for a regional university with a 67% admission rate and modest average SAT scores around 1050.

The debt picture is reasonable at $23,625, translating to a 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests manageable repayment. While this debt sits near the national median for physics programs, the strong earnings make it far less concerning than it might be elsewhere. Arkansas has limited physics program options, but this one holds its own at the 60th percentile statewide.

The main caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could swing these numbers significantly. Small cohorts can fluctuate year to year based on whether a few graduates land particularly good or bad positions. Still, the combination of strong earnings and moderate debt at an accessible institution makes this worth serious consideration—just recognize you're working with limited data points and should verify current placement outcomes directly with the department.