Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $48,951 at University of California-San Diego come in 5% above the national median of $46,482 for Physics programs.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.9x 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 17% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $48,951 far exceeding the $18,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #15 of 75 nationally, this is a top-5% Physics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $84,411 show a 72% jump from the $48,951 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.