Physicsat University of Central Florida
Graduates earn $55,826/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $584K; scenarios range from $536K to $596K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Central Florida
First-year earnings of $55,826 at University of Central Florida come in 20% above the national median of $46,482 for Physics programs.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.9x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $55,826 far exceeding the $18,715 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #20 of 75 Physics programs, University of Central Florida scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
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 University of Central Florida'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 University of Central Florida stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Central Florida
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Central Florida, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Physics at University of Central Florida
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at University of Central Florida?
A score of 59/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Physics field.
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 $536,288 in decade earnings vs $596,399 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.