Est. Earnings (1yr)
$47,670
Est. from national median (75 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$23,120
Est. from national median (20 programs)

Analysis

A $47,670 starting salary—roughly the national median for physics bachelor's degrees—paired with $23,120 in estimated debt creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49. However, these figures come from comparable programs nationally, not from Westminster's own graduates, so they serve more as a rough baseline than a precise forecast. What we know for certain is that Utah's physics graduates typically earn more than the national average, with a state median around $53,700, suggesting this estimation may be conservative for the local market.

The wider Utah landscape reveals significant variation in physics outcomes. BYU physics graduates start near $69,000, while University of Utah graduates begin closer to $38,700—a striking $30,000 spread that demonstrates how much individual program strength matters in this field. Westminster sits between these extremes in selectivity and resources, making it difficult to predict where their physics graduates would land without actual earnings data. The school's 69% admission rate and moderate SAT scores suggest it attracts solid students, but perhaps not the same caliber as BYU's highly selective program.

For a parent weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable financial viability, but the lack of actual graduate data means you're making decisions with limited visibility. If your student is considering Westminster specifically for physics, reaching out to the department directly about job placement and graduate school acceptance rates would provide the concrete outcomes these estimates can't.

Where Westminster University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all physics bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Utah

Physics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Utah (6 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Westminster UniversitySalt Lake City$41,416$47,670*$23,120*
Brigham Young UniversityProvo$6,496$68,664*$76,268*
University of UtahSalt Lake City$9,315$38,748*$69,676$21,990*0.57
National Median$47,670*$23,304*0.49
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with physics graduates

Physicists

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

$166,290/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Westminster University, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 75 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.