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Physical Sciences at University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Physical Sciences, Other

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $35,464/yr (-25% vs median)

AI Risk High (32% exposed)

Job Market Medium (24,000 openings/yr)

ROI 8.7x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #2 of 2 Physical Sciences, Other programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Physical Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$508K	$507K	$487K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.7x	8.7x	8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.0x	4.0x	3.9x
Probability of Field Employment	77%	72%	60%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	30	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$58,236

Out-of-state: $125,916 (4.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$84,432

-45% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,433

7.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,166

36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,464 place University of Mary Washington below the $47,513 national median for Physical Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 8.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 32% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,433 debt-to-$35,464 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

With only 2 programs offering Physical Sciences nationally, this is a niche field. University of Mary Washington ranks #2 among them.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,464 to $48,166 shows 36% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Mary Washington

University of Mary Washington accepts 86% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 3,504 in Fredericksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Mary Washington →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr

Physical scientists, all other $117,960/yr

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Mary Washington

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Mary Washington's Physical Sciences program score?

This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Physical Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Physical Sciences to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Physical Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 32% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Physical Sciences earnings lower at University of Mary Washington?

Lower starting pay at University of Mary Washington may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →