Physicsat Georgia State University
Graduates earn $31,001/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $608K; scenarios range from $554K to $624K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Georgia State University
Georgia State's physics program, situated in a dynamic urban hub like Atlanta, prepares graduates with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, but often for paths distinct from traditional research. The university's broad public mission means many students pursue diverse applications of their physics foundation, rather than a direct pipeline into highly specialized, often higher-paying, pure physics R&D roles found at dedicated research institutions.
You'll find many GSU physics alumni leveraging their quantitative abilities in fields like data analysis, software development, or even secondary education within the Atlanta metro. While the local economy is robust, it doesn't have a large demand for pure physics researchers, which can lead graduates to roles where their physics background is valuable but not directly applied. To maximize your prospects, actively pursue internships in fields like computational science, engineering, or data analytics, and consider a minor or dual degree in a directly applied STEM discipline.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Georgia State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Physics
How Georgia State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Georgia State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Georgia State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Physics at Georgia State University
What does a 41/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Physics at Georgia State University?
At 41/100, 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 Georgia State University?
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 Georgia State University a good choice for Physics despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Georgia State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.