Physicsat University of California-Riverside
Graduates earn $19,977/yr in their first year — about 57.0% below the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $330K; scenarios range from $347K to $307K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Riverside
Studying Physics at UCR puts you in a dynamic field, but one where the regional labor market in the Inland Empire isn't a strong direct pipeline for high-paying physics careers. Unlike institutions in major tech or defense hubs, UCR grads often leverage their analytical skills in broader roles like teaching, data analysis, or general engineering support, rather than immediately landing specialized research or industry positions. This explains why many graduates find their initial career paths differ significantly from national averages for physicists, often requiring further education or a pivot to other fields to achieve higher earning potential. If you're considering this path, actively seek internships in adjacent fields like engineering or data science, and plan early for graduate studies if a research-focused career is your goal.
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 UC Riverside'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 UC Riverside stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Riverside
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Riverside, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Physics at UC Riverside
What does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Physics at University of California-Riverside?
At 23/100, 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 University of California-Riverside?
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 University of California-Riverside a good choice for Physics despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Riverside's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.