Physicsat New York University
Graduates earn $24,802/yr in their first year — about 47.0% below the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $364K; scenarios range from $372K to $346K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at New York University
A physics degree from NYU often serves as a rigorous foundation for advanced study, with many graduates pursuing PhDs to enter research, academia, or specialized roles as professional physicists. The initial earnings data can reflect this pipeline, as many alumni are still in graduate school or early-career academic positions rather than immediate high-paying industry roles. Those who don't pursue a PhD often leverage their exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills in competitive fields like quantitative finance, data science, or engineering, particularly within the bustling New York City tech and finance sectors. However, the high AI risk suggests that some purely analytical tasks common in related roles are increasingly automated, demanding you develop complementary skills like advanced computation, machine learning, or interdisciplinary expertise. Consider how you'll apply your foundational knowledge to evolving industries.
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 New York 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 New York University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at New York University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at New York University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Physics at New York University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at New York University?
A score of 20/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Physics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Physics careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $372,470 in decade earnings vs $346,017 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Physics from New York University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.