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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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $41,416 | $47,670* | — | $23,120* | — | |
| $6,496 | $68,664* | $76,268 | —* | — | |
| $9,315 | $38,748* | $69,676 | $21,990* | 0.57 | |
| National Median | — | $47,670* | — | $23,304* | 0.49 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with physics graduates
Physicists
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
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.