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Physics at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
48
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,169/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.5x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #50 of 75 Physics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $535K $529K $496K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.6x 10.5x 9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 48 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,376
Out-of-state: $139,776 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,888
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $48,169/yr, Physics graduates from Oregon State University-Cascades Campus land near the $46,482 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Physics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Physics's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,250 represents roughly 6 months of the $48,169 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #50 of 75 Physics programs, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus accepts 68% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,054 in Bend, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus →

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Physics teachers, postsecondary $97,360/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 75 schools offering Physics →

Physics at Other Schools

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($70,150) Brigham Young University ($68,664) University of Pennsylvania ($68,215) Whitworth University ($65,316) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($64,045) Portland State University ($62,749) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($62,647) Georgia College & State University ($62,478)

Other Majors at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Computer Science ($85,376) Construction Engineering ($80,936) Industrial Engineering ($78,425) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,636) Manufacturing Engineering ($72,154) Chemical Engineering ($71,618) Engineering, Other ($71,549) Civil Engineering ($70,635)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
A score of 48/100 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 $495,855 in decade earnings vs $534,602 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →