Physics at University of Illinois Chicago

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 puts this program in reasonable territory—based on comparable physics bachelor's programs nationally, graduates typically borrow about half their first-year salary. That $23,424 in estimated debt translates to roughly $260 in monthly loan payments, which should be manageable on earnings near $48,000. However, Illinois physics programs tend to perform slightly better than the national average, with typical first-year earnings around $51,000, suggesting UIC's program may land toward the lower end of what's available in-state.

The flagship campus at Urbana-Champaign reports that same $51,000 figure, creating an interesting comparison given UIC's 79% admission rate versus Urbana's far more selective profile. What matters more than the $3,000 difference is trajectory: physics careers often require graduate work for the highest-earning positions, making this bachelor's degree a stepping stone rather than a terminal credential. UIC's accessibility and research opportunities in a major metropolitan area could provide valuable experience, even if initial earnings estimates trail the state median.

The key uncertainty here is that both figures are national estimates, not UIC-specific outcomes. Physics programs vary widely in their employment pipelines—some feed students into engineering roles paying $60,000+, others see more graduates heading to graduate school with stipends around $30,000. Before committing, talk to UIC's physics department directly about where recent graduates actually landed and what percentage continued to graduate programs.