Physicsat University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduates earn $62,647/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $632K; scenarios range from $572K to $651K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Studying Physics at UNC Chapel Hill offers a unique advantage, primarily due to the university's elite reputation and its integration within the vibrant Research Triangle Park. While the field faces high AI risk, the core value of this degree lies in the rigorous analytical thinking and complex problem-solving abilities you'll cultivate. These skills are highly prized by employers across diverse sectors—from finance and data science to advanced engineering and R&D roles within RTP's extensive tech and biotech industries. You're not just trained for academia; you're prepared for roles demanding sophisticated modeling and critical thought, often leading to leadership or specialized technical positions. To truly capitalize on this foundation, actively pursue internships that apply your quantitative prowess to real-world challenges, perhaps in software development or data analytics, to build a practical skill set alongside your theoretical expertise.
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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill'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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Physics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
How does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Physics program score?
This program scores 59/100, 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.