Physics at University of Connecticut

UConn's physics bachelor's carries an unusual warning label: earnings data from fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift dramatically with just a few data points. That said, the $32,341 first-year salary sits nearly $15,000 below the national median for physics graduates—a concerning gap for a program at a selective public university where admitted students average 1338 SAT scores.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $26,324, borrowing stays close to national norms for the program, and the 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than one year's salary. However, physics typically commands stronger starting salaries precisely because the degree requires rigorous quantitative training. Connecticut's median for physics programs matches UConn's exactly, suggesting this might reflect state employment patterns rather than program quality—yet national data shows most physics graduates earn significantly more elsewhere.

The small sample size matters critically here. Physics majors often pursue graduate school immediately, which would depress first-year earnings artificially. If most of these 30 graduates continued their education or took research positions with modest stipends, that would explain the low starting figure without indicating poor program quality. Without knowing the graduate school rate or career paths, it's difficult to assess whether this represents genuine underperformance or simply physics students following a common trajectory toward advanced degrees.