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Physics at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,825/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 23.0x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #17 of 75 Physics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,139K $1,060K $891K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.7x 23.0x 19.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 6.6x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$101,240
154% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Maryland-College Park's Physics program produces graduates earning $39,825/yr — within striking distance of the $46,482 national average for this field.

The 23.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 22% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,500 in median debt clears quickly against $39,825 in annual earnings.

Ranked #17 out of 75 programs, University of Maryland-College Park's Physics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $39,825 to $101,240 over five years (154% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Maryland-College Park

University of Maryland-College Park's 45% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 30,246 students enrolled in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Physics teachers, postsecondary $97,360/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 75 schools offering Physics →

Physics at Other Schools

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($70,150) Brigham Young University ($68,664) University of Pennsylvania ($68,215) Whitworth University ($65,316) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($64,045) Portland State University ($62,749) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($62,647) Georgia College & State University ($62,478)

Other Majors at University of Maryland-College Park

Computer Science ($99,756) Computer Engineering ($95,847) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,500) Chemical Engineering ($81,777) Engineering, Other ($80,931) Mathematics ($79,129) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,631) Civil Engineering ($76,731)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Maryland-College Park's Physics program score?
This program scores 61/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Physics graduates.
How vulnerable is Physics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Physics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Maryland-College Park rank so high for Physics?
The #17 ranking out of 75 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →