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

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 suggests Physics at Wittenberg offers a manageable financial picture, with estimated first-year earnings of $47,670 against roughly $23,000 in debt. Comparable Physics programs nationally produce similar earnings outcomes, though Ohio programs typically run higher at around $53,500—meaning this estimate sits below the state median by several thousand dollars. For context, Ohio State's Physics graduates start at that higher $53,500 figure, suggesting a potential earnings premium at Ohio's flagship institution.

The estimated debt load aligns closely with national norms for Physics bachelor's programs, which is encouraging. However, the gap between national-level estimates and Ohio-specific outcomes raises questions about how Wittenberg's graduates compare to peers within their job market. Physics degrees generally lead to solid technical employment, but whether Wittenberg's alumni command state-typical salaries or track closer to national medians remains uncertain given the estimation method here.

For parents evaluating this investment, the fundamentals look reasonable: a sub-0.5 debt ratio typically allows comfortable loan repayment, and Physics credentials open doors in engineering, research, and technical fields. The real question is whether your student will achieve Ohio-level outcomes or something closer to the national baseline. Visit campus to understand career placement support and where recent graduates actually land—those specifics matter more than estimates when the data comes from peer programs rather than Wittenberg's own track record.

Where Wittenberg University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Physics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (37 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Wittenberg UniversitySpringfield$44,602$47,670*$23,120*
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus$12,859$53,504*$72,007$23,357*0.44
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 Wittenberg University, approximately 29% 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.