Physics at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

UIUC's physics program produces graduates earning $51,019 right after graduation—roughly $3,000 above the national average for physics majors. More importantly, earnings grow to $60,090 by year four, showing an 18% increase that suggests graduates are building valuable technical skills that employers recognize over time.

The $20,500 debt burden is manageable, translating to a 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio that's well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. While debt sits at the 73rd percentile nationally (meaning higher than most programs), the stronger-than-average earnings compensate. Within Illinois, this program matches the state median for physics earnings, which makes sense for the state's flagship technical university. Parents should note that 44% of applicants gain admission, making this accessible for solid students without requiring Ivy-level credentials.

For families considering physics degrees, this represents a straightforward value proposition: reasonable debt paired with above-average earnings from a well-regarded institution. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these figures are reliable without being drawn from just a handful of students. The real question is whether your student is genuinely committed to physics—this isn't a program for dabbling, but for those who are, the financial foundation is solid.