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Physical Sciences · Physics Rank #54 of 75

Physicsat Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Graduates earn $30,503/yr in their first year — about 34.0% below the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $803K; scenarios range from $700K to $846K depending on AI disruption.

Tempe, AZ Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
43 AVERAGE
44
Optimistic
53
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,503
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$803K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Arizona State

The financial data for ASU Physics reveals outcomes notably below the national average for this major. This often reflects the diverse paths graduates take from a large public university like ASU. While some pursue advanced degrees leading to high-paying research or specialized engineering roles, many leverage their analytical skills in less specialized areas, including secondary education, which typically pulls down average earnings. Arizona's labor market, while growing in tech and aerospace, may not have the density of pure physics research opportunities found elsewhere, pushing more graduates into generalist roles. To maximize your earning potential, you'll need to actively seek out internships in applied fields like defense, aerospace (e.g., Honeywell, Raytheon), or data science, or consider pairing your degree with a complementary minor in computer science or engineering. These proactive steps are crucial for accessing the higher-earning opportunities that your rigorous analytical training enables, rather than settling for broader, lower-paying roles.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$700K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple14.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$803K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple16.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$846K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple17.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Arizona State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Physics graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Physicists
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$166,290/yr
Very High
2
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
3
Physics teachers, postsecondary
+2.5% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$97,360/yr
Moderate
4
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Physics

How Arizona State stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
NC · Public
62
DW Score
$70K
1-yr earn
23.3x
ROI
Top score
Brigham Young University
UT · Private nonprofit
74
DW Score
$69K
1-yr earn
36.5x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Whitworth University
WA · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
CA · Public
70
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
24.0x
ROI
Also at Arizona State

Other top programs at Arizona State

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Arizona State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Physics at Arizona State

How does Arizona State University Campus Immersion's Physics program score?

This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Physics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Physics to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Physics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Physics earnings lower at Arizona State University Campus Immersion?

Lower starting pay at Arizona State University Campus Immersion may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.