Program Analysis
Graduates earn $42,057/yr, roughly in line with the $46,482 national median for Physics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
With a 27.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Physics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $42,057 far exceeding the $18,654 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
California State University-Long Beach ranks #14 among 75 Physics programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $42,057-to-$79,330 earnings arc over five years reflects a 89% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.