Physicsat University of Pennsylvania
Graduates earn $68,215/yr in their first year — about 47.0% above the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $671K; scenarios range from $602K to $696K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Pennsylvania
Studying Physics at Penn places you in a highly rigorous, research-intensive environment within an Ivy League institution. Your analytical and problem-solving skills will be exceptionally sharp, making you attractive to diverse sectors far beyond traditional physics roles. Many graduates leverage this foundation for advanced degrees or pivot into highly quantitative fields like finance, data science, engineering, or consulting, where the demand for complex reasoning is immense. Penn's reputation and extensive alumni network in Philadelphia and nationally open doors to top-tier internships and entry-level positions in tech, biotech, and even medical research. While certain pure research roles face AI disruption, the adaptable skills you gain here are future-proof. To maximize your prospects, actively seek out interdisciplinary projects or minors that bridge physics with computer science, engineering, or even business analytics, broadening your career horizon significantly.
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 Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Pennsylvania
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Pennsylvania, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Physics at University of Pennsylvania
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.