Physics at Thomas More University

A debt load around $23,000 for a physics degree is manageable compared to what other Kentucky programs typically require—the state median sits at nearly $28,000. Peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings near $48,000, which would make the monthly loan payments fairly reasonable at under 10% of take-home pay. Physics graduates generally have strong long-term prospects as they move into research, engineering, or technical roles where earnings accelerate significantly.

The challenge here is Thomas More's open admission profile. Physics is analytically demanding, and the 1140 average SAT suggests many students may struggle with the upper-level coursework. When a program has too few graduates to report data publicly—as appears to be the case here—it raises questions about completion rates. You're essentially betting on your child being among the handful who persist through differential equations, quantum mechanics, and electromagnetic theory to actually finish the degree.

If your child has strong math aptitude and genuine interest in physics, the estimated financial picture is workable. But given the program's small graduate cohort, have frank conversations with the department about completion rates, research opportunities, and where recent graduates have landed jobs. Physics can be excellent preparation for many careers, but only if students actually complete it—and smaller programs at less selective schools often see significant attrition in STEM majors.