Physicsat University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Graduates earn $47,670/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $526K; scenarios range from $493K to $531K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Nebraska
At $47,670/yr, Physics graduates from University of Nebraska-Lincoln land near the $46,482 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.0x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,209 represents roughly 6 months of the $47,670 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #38 of 75 Physics programs, University of Nebraska-Lincoln falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
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 Nebraska'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 Nebraska stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Nebraska
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nebraska, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Physics at University of Nebraska
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
This program scores 50/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Physics programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $493,220 in decade earnings vs $530,576 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.