Physics at University at Albany
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Physics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (66 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University at Albany | $48,641* | $57,690 | $24,227 | — |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $60,348* | $88,071 | $20,270 | 0.34 |
| Cornell University | $50,933* | — | $15,961 | 0.31 |
| CUNY City College | $48,908* | — | — | — |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | $48,374* | — | $27,000 | 0.56 |
| Stony Brook University | $44,562* | $69,154 | $21,683 | 0.49 |
| National Median | $47,670* | — | $23,304 | 0.49 |
Other Physics Programs in New York
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across New York schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy | $61,884 | $60,348 | $20,270 |
| Cornell University Ithaca | $66,014 | $50,933 | $15,961 |
| CUNY City College New York | $7,340 | $48,908 | — |
| Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester | $57,016 | $48,374 | $27,000 |
| Stony Brook University Stony Brook | $10,560 | $44,562 | $21,683 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University at Albany, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.