Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $60,348 put Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Physics program 30% above the national median of $46,482 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
An earnings multiple of 4.1x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.
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 21% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $60,348 far exceeding the $20,270 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #23 of 75 Physics programs, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $111,815 show a 85% jump from the $60,348 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.