Compare 39 Biophysics. programs in the South. Average earnings: $41,020.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Biophysics tells a different story. Across 39 programs, earnings range from $46K to $77K—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. Regional public universities compete directly with prestigious names, proving that program evaluation requires looking beyond institutional brand.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Biophysics program leads with graduates earning $76,667, well above the $41K average across all programs. Towson University follows at $65K, while Georgia Tech delivers $64K. This demonstrates how program strength varies independently—even highly selective Georgia Tech (16% acceptance) trails a more accessible state program.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. NC State graduates borrow $20K and face just a 5.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26, students can pay off loans with about 3 months of salary, making loan payments barely noticeable in their budget.
Highest program earnings: $76,667
Strong outcomes ($64,819) with 83% acceptance
5.1% payment burden | Excellent
11.8% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $76,667 | 64 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Good | |
| #2 | Towson UniversityPublic | $64,819 | 39 | $18,718 | Excellent | $28,489 | Manageable |
| #3 | $63,773 | 43 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $62,350 | 26 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $61,992 | 280 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $60,545 | 65 | $20,500 | Excellent | $38,513 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $59,443 | 41 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,443 | Challenging |
| #8 | $54,464 | 53 | $20,000 | Good | $14,229 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $53,750 | 82 | $22,142 | Good | $25,567 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $52,755 | 59 | $19,500 | Good | $26,987 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $52,572 | 49 | $17,804 | Good | $32,258 | High | |
| #12 | $52,254 | 125 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | High | |
| #13 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $49,636 | 28 | $21,000 | Good | $22,500 | Challenging |
| #14 | $48,201 | 53 | $19,250 | Good | $23,211 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $47,924 | 26 | $23,833 | Manageable | $19,000 | Challenging | |
| #16 | University Of DelawarePublic | $47,912 | 18 | $24,572 | Manageable | $43,000 | High |
| #17 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $47,493 | 74 | $23,000 | Manageable | $50,786 | High |
| #18 | Stevenson UniversityPrivate | $46,637 | 17 | $26,000 | Manageable | $52,117 | High |
| #19 | $45,693 | 102 | $18,000 | Good | $21,495 | High | |
| #20 | University Of HoustonPublic | $45,667 | 104 | $18,194 | Good | $18,072 | Challenging |
| #21 | $38,747 | 52 | $18,000 | Manageable | $11,916 | High | |
| #22 | University Of RichmondPrivate | $33,993 | 30 | $21,000 | High | $30,512 | High |
| #23 | $33,408 | 36 | $23,250 | High | $16,000 | High | |
| #24 | $32,925 | 28 | $22,858 | High | $14,638 | High | |
| #25 | $30,616 | 55 | $19,000 | High | $35,200 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
