Physics at Union College

Union College's physics program carries an estimated debt load of around $20,000—meaningfully lower than the national median of $23,304 for physics degrees. Combined with projected first-year earnings near $49,000 based on comparable New York programs, this produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, which represents less than half a year's salary. That's a manageable starting point, though families should recognize these figures come from peer institutions rather than Union's own graduates.

The estimated earnings align closely with the national median for physics bachelor's degrees, placing Union's graduates in the middle of the pack rather than at the premium end. Nearby Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, for instance, reports first-year earnings exceeding $60,000 for its physics graduates—about $12,000 more annually. Whether Union's smaller debt burden offsets this earnings gap depends partly on your child's graduate school plans, since many physics majors continue their education.

For a selective liberal arts college (44% admission rate, 1410 average SAT), Union appears to deliver financially sensible outcomes in physics without the debt burden that often accompanies private education. The combination of below-average borrowing and middle-of-the-road earnings suggests reasonable value, though families should verify these estimates align with Union's actual graduate outcomes before committing. If your child is considering graduate school in physics—common in this field—keeping undergraduate debt this low becomes particularly important.