Physics at University of Maryland-Baltimore County

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 suggests a manageable financial picture for this physics program, though the caveat is significant: both the earnings and debt figures come from peer programs rather than UMBC's actual graduates. Drawing from national physics programs for earnings ($47,670) and other Maryland programs at UMBC for debt ($23,750), we're essentially looking at what similar programs typically produce rather than this specific degree's track record.

The estimated first-year earnings align with typical physics bachelor's outcomes nationally, which tend to open doors to both industry positions and graduate school. What's harder to gauge is whether UMBC's particular strengths—its reputation for undergraduate research and proximity to federal laboratories and tech employers around Baltimore and DC—translate into better outcomes than the national average suggests. The estimated debt is reasonable for a four-year degree, roughly in line with what physics students carry elsewhere in Maryland.

For an anxious parent, the key limitation is uncertainty: without actual data from UMBC physics graduates, you're betting on the program performing like its peers. The fundamentals look sound—physics degrees generally lead to solid career options, and the estimated debt burden isn't alarming—but you'd want to dig into UMBC's specific placement rates, graduate school admissions, and employer connections before committing. The small graduate cohort that triggered data suppression could reflect either a boutique program with strong mentorship or simply limited track record.