Physics at University of Idaho

A debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5 is typically manageable, and this program appears to hit that mark—though both the $47,670 first-year earnings figure and $23,424 debt load are estimates drawn from national benchmarks for physics bachelor's programs. The actual outcomes for University of Idaho graduates could differ, particularly since Idaho's physics programs generally show slightly lower earnings ($45,813 median) than the national average. Still, physics degrees tend to open doors to technical careers with steady growth potential, and starting near $48,000 with modest debt isn't a red flag.

What's worth noting is that University of Idaho's relatively accessible admissions (79% acceptance rate, 1088 average SAT) combined with a rigorous STEM major could mean significant academic demands for students who might have been mid-range performers in high school. Physics programs have high attrition rates nationally, and it's unclear whether these estimated figures account only for completers or include students who switch majors. The 23% Pell grant rate suggests this isn't primarily serving low-income students who might be most debt-sensitive.

If your child is genuinely interested in physics and can handle the math-heavy curriculum, this looks like a reasonable path—but recognize you're working with educated guesses rather than proven track record data for this specific program. The comparable Boise State program reports actual earnings slightly below the estimate used here, which suggests tempering expectations somewhat.