Physics at Texas Tech University

Texas Tech's physics program significantly outperforms both state and national benchmarks, though these results come from a small graduating class. With first-year earnings of $57,435, graduates earn nearly 50% more than the typical Texas physics graduate ($39,284) and rank in the 80th percentile statewide. This even beats Texas A&M's physics program by about $4,000—a meaningful difference for a school with a 71% admission rate versus A&M's more selective profile.

The $25,000 in median debt sits right at the national average and translates to a manageable 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, well within the range where student loans remain affordable. Physics degrees inherently prepare students for diverse career paths—from engineering firms to tech companies to graduate school—and these earnings suggest Texas Tech graduates are accessing quality opportunities.

The caveat matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, a few high earners at national labs or tech companies could skew results upward. But even accounting for that uncertainty, the combination of strong outcomes, reasonable debt, and accessible admission standards makes this program worth serious consideration. For Texas families, it offers competitive preparation at a more attainable price point than flagship alternatives.