Physicsat Stony Brook University
Graduates earn $44,562/yr in their first year — about 4.0% below the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $827K; scenarios range from $717K to $873K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Stony Brook
Stony Brook University's Physics program produces graduates earning $44,562/yr — within striking distance of the $46,482 national average for this field.
With a 19.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Physics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,341 in median debt clears quickly against $44,562 in annual earnings.
Stony Brook University ranks #11 among 75 Physics programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $44,562-to-$85,544 earnings arc over five years reflects a 92% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.
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 Stony Brook'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 Stony Brook stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Stony Brook
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Stony Brook, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Physics at Stony Brook
What does a 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Physics at Stony Brook University?
At 64/100, Stony Brook University's Physics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Physics at Stony Brook 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 Stony Brook University one of the best schools for Physics?
Among 75 Physics programs, Stony Brook University's #11 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.