Physics at Washington College

Physics programs in Maryland show surprising variation in early outcomes—from $39,825 at the flagship to over $54,000 at Salisbury—making Washington College's estimated $47,670 roughly middle-of-the-pack. With an estimated debt load of $23,120, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 sits in reasonable territory for a bachelor's degree, though these figures come from national peer programs rather than Washington College's actual graduate outcomes.

The physics degree itself appears financially viable based on comparable programs nationwide. That sub-0.50 debt ratio suggests manageable loan payments relative to income, and the estimated first-year earnings align closely with both Maryland and national medians for the field. However, the wide earnings spread among Maryland physics programs—a $15,000 gap between top and bottom—suggests that school selection, research opportunities, and career placement support can significantly influence outcomes in this field.

For families considering Washington College specifically, the key challenge is uncertainty. Without school-specific data, you're making an informed guess based on similar programs elsewhere. If your child is seriously considering physics here, direct conversations with the department about graduate placement, industry connections, and alumni outcomes become essential to validate whether this particular program performs closer to Salisbury's stronger results or trails the state average.