Physics at University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$101,240
154% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Physics at Other Schools
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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 →