Home Schools Arizona State University Digital Immersion Physics
Physical Sciences · Physics Rank #73 of 75

Physicsat Arizona State University Digital 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.

Scottsdale, AZ Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
27 AT RISK
28
Optimistic
37
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,503
1-year post-graduation
ROI
Earnings : 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 University Digital Immersion

An online physics degree, even from a well-known institution like ASU, presents unique challenges that contribute to these outcomes. Success in physics often hinges on hands-on laboratory experience, direct mentorship, and deep research opportunities – elements that can be difficult to replicate effectively in a purely digital environment. This can impact your readiness for competitive graduate programs or specialized industry roles where a strong research portfolio and practical skills are paramount.

Many graduates from such programs often find themselves gravitating towards general analytical roles or secondary education, rather than the highly specialized, higher-paying research or academic positions typically associated with a physics background. The demanding nature of advanced physics careers means you'll face stiff competition for limited spots, often requiring further advanced degrees and robust networking. Consider how you'll proactively seek out in-person internships, research projects, and mentorship to bridge any gaps inherent in an online curriculum.

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 Score37/100
Earnings Multiple
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$803K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$846K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Arizona State University Digital Immersion'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 University Digital Immersion 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 University Digital Immersion

Other top programs at Arizona State University Digital Immersion

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

FAQ

Frequently asked about Physics at Arizona State University Digital Immersion

What does a 27/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Physics at Arizona State University Digital Immersion?

At 27/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Physics programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Physics at Arizona State University Digital Immersion?

The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Arizona State University Digital Immersion a good choice for Physics despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Arizona State University Digital Immersion's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.