Physics at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

UMass Lowell's physics graduates earn slightly below the state median ($48,324 versus $49,399), landing in the 40th percentile among Massachusetts programs—a notable gap when MIT and Northeastern dominate the local market. Nationally, the program performs at the median, but that's less relevant for most students who'll be competing for entry-level positions against other Massachusetts graduates. The manageable debt load of $22,177 is a meaningful advantage: it's below both state and national averages, giving graduates more flexibility in their early career choices, whether that means pursuing graduate school or taking a lower-paying research position.

The small sample size here matters considerably. With fewer than 30 graduates reporting, a few outliers could shift these numbers substantially in either direction. Physics programs also tend to feed heavily into graduate school, where the real earnings potential materializes, so these first-year figures may understate long-term value. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 suggests graduates can reasonably handle their loans even if they take typical entry-level physics roles.

For families prioritizing affordability and access—UMass Lowell's 85% admission rate makes it attainable for most applicants—this program delivers solid physics training without crushing debt. Just recognize you're not getting the MIT premium in either reputation or immediate earnings, and verify current placement rates given the limited data sample.