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Physical Sciences · Physics Rank #25 of 75

Physicsat University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Graduates earn $62,196/yr in their first year — about 34.0% above the national Physics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $629K; scenarios range from $570K to $648K depending on AI disruption.

River Falls, WI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
59 SOLID
61
Optimistic
57
Pessimistic
Earnings
$62,196
1-year post-graduation
ROI
17.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$629K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
56% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

The strong financial outcomes for UW-River Falls Physics graduates speak to more than just academic rigor; they highlight the program's practical value and strategic location. Situated on the edge of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, you'll find a robust regional economy teeming with employers in engineering, manufacturing, tech, and medical device industries. This proximity often translates into direct pipelines for graduates, who leverage their advanced problem-solving and analytical skills in roles spanning R&D, data analysis, quality control, and even applied engineering, rather than solely traditional physics research.

Many UWRF alumni find success applying their foundational knowledge in diverse, high-demand settings. To maximize your prospects and navigate the evolving job market, actively seek out internships within the Twin Cities and consider pairing your physics studies with computational skills or a minor in data science to enhance your versatility.

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
$570K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple16.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$629K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple18.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$648K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple18.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Wisconsin-River Falls'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 Wisconsin-River Falls stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
NC · Public
62
DW Score
$70K
1-yr earn
23.3x
ROI
Top score
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
Also at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Other top programs at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Physics at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Physics at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

At 59/100, University of Wisconsin-River Falls'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 Wisconsin-River Falls?

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.