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Physics at University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,215/yr (47% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #52 of 75 Physics programs

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 $696K $671K $602K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,416
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$124,916
53% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

University of Pennsylvania Physics graduates command $68,215/yr out of the gate, well above the $46,482 national median. That 47% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #52 of 75 Physics programs, University of Pennsylvania falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Pennsylvania

Only 6% of applicants gain admission to University of Pennsylvania, reflecting elite selectivity, serving 10,768 students in Philadelphia, PA. The average net cost of $124,916 over four years represents a 53% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Pennsylvania →

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) 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) University of Wisconsin-River Falls ($62,196)

Other Majors at University of Pennsylvania

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($146,204) Statistics ($129,732) Computer Science ($124,678) Finance and Financial Management Services ($122,698) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($104,502) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($93,310) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($91,443) Economics ($89,097)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at University of Pennsylvania?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Physics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $601,706 in decade earnings vs $696,385 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is University of Pennsylvania a hidden gem for Physics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $124,916 over four years — 53% below the $264,416 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →