Engineering Physics at Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $54,165/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (52% exposed)
Job Market Large (38,100 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #8 of 8 Engineering Physics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Engineering Physics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $587K $576K $528K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 47%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$199,336
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,748
75% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

At $54,165/yr, Engineering Physics graduates from Augustana College land near the $60,193 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Engineering Physics's typical career paths, with 52% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

This program is one of 8 schools offering Engineering Physics in our dataset — a specialized field with limited comparison points.

About Augustana College

Augustana College accepts 68% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a smaller institution with 2,418 students in Rock Island, IL. The average net cost of $49,748 over four years represents a 75% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Augustana College →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Physicists $166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Engineering Physics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Augustana College

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering Physics at Augustana College?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Engineering Physics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Engineering Physics careers?
With 52% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $528,390 in decade earnings vs $586,600 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Augustana College a hidden gem for Engineering Physics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $49,748 over four years — 75% below the $199,336 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →