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Physical Sciences · Physics Rank #16 of 75

Physicsat University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Graduates earn $70,150/yr in their first year — about 51.0% above the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $685K; scenarios range from $612K to $712K depending on AI disruption.

Charlotte, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
62 SOLID
64
Optimistic
60
Pessimistic
Earnings
$70,150
1-year post-graduation
ROI
23.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$685K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Your earnings potential from UNC Charlotte's physics program stands out, reflecting the unique opportunities available in the region. Charlotte's dynamic economy, with its robust financial services, expanding tech sector, and advanced manufacturing firms, creates a strong demand for individuals with rigorous analytical and quantitative skills. Graduates often find themselves in roles leveraging these competencies, from data analysis and engineering R&D to project management in technology-driven companies, rather than solely traditional academic or research physics positions.

The program likely cultivates these applied skills, preparing you for immediate entry into these high-demand industries where your problem-solving abilities are highly valued. Companies actively recruit from UNCC, providing a clear pipeline into the local job market. Given the very high AI risk associated with many physics-related tasks, focus on developing interdisciplinary skills in areas like data science, computational modeling, or even business analytics. This will position you for roles where human critical thinking and complex problem-solving remain indispensable.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$612K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple21.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$685K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple23.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$712K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple24.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of North Carolina at Charlotte's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Physics graduates typically work

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.

1
Physicists
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$166,290/yr
Very High
2
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
3
Physics teachers, postsecondary
+2.5% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$97,360/yr
Moderate
4
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Physics

How University of North Carolina at Charlotte stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Brigham Young University
UT · Private nonprofit
74
DW Score
$69K
1-yr earn
36.5x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$68K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Whitworth University
WA · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
CA · Public
70
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
24.0x
ROI
Portland State University
OR · Public
70
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
17.7x
ROI
Also at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Other top programs at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Physics at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

What does a 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Physics at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?

At 62/100, University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Physics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Physics at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?

The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of North Carolina at Charlotte one of the best schools for Physics?

Among 75 Physics programs, University of North Carolina at Charlotte's #16 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.