Home Schools UConn Physics
Physical Sciences · Physics Rank #72 of 75

Physicsat University of Connecticut

Graduates earn $32,341/yr in their first year — about 30.0% below the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $417K; scenarios range from $412K to $407K depending on AI disruption.

Storrs, CT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
27 AT RISK
28
Optimistic
36
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,341
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$417K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at UConn

The data for UConn Physics suggests a challenging path for many graduates, often reflecting the broader landscape for a pure undergraduate physics degree. Unlike more applied STEM fields, a bachelor's in physics from a strong public university like UConn typically serves as a robust intellectual foundation rather than a direct pipeline to high-paying, entry-level physicist roles. Many of the top career paths you see listed, such as research physicists, heavily favor candidates with advanced degrees, often a Ph.D.

Without that further specialization, graduates frequently pivot into secondary education, or analytical roles in finance, data science, or engineering where their problem-solving skills are valued but specific vocational training might be lacking. The regional labor market in Connecticut, while offering some tech and manufacturing opportunities, might not have a high demand for entry-level pure physics roles either. This can lead to a period of lower initial earnings as you either pursue graduate studies or develop complementary skills. Given the high AI risk, focusing on truly unique research, computational, or applied engineering skills will be crucial. If physics is your passion, consider graduate school a likely next step, or actively seek internships that apply your analytical abilities to other high-demand sectors.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$412K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple5.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$417K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple5.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$407K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple5.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UConn's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Physics graduates typically work

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.

1
Physicists
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$166,290/yr
Very High
2
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
3
Physics teachers, postsecondary
+2.5% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$97,360/yr
Moderate
4
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Physics

How UConn stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
NC · Public
62
DW Score
$70K
1-yr earn
23.3x
ROI
Top score
Brigham Young University
UT · Private nonprofit
74
DW Score
$69K
1-yr earn
36.5x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Whitworth University
WA · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
CA · Public
70
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
24.0x
ROI
Also at UConn

Other top programs at UConn

Other highest-scoring programs offered at UConn, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Physics at UConn

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at University of Connecticut?

A score of 27/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Physics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $412,278 in decade earnings vs $406,861 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Physics from University of Connecticut?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.