Compare 5 Physical Sciences, General. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $69,088. Top programs: $80,302+.
Physical Sciences, General. programs produce graduates earning between $60K and $80K—a $21K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 5 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The average sits at $69K, but where you land within that range depends on which program you choose, not simply which school's name is on your diploma.
Villanova University leads with Physical Sciences graduates earning $80,302—well above the $69,088 national average for this ranking. But the more striking finding is what's just behind it: the University of North Alabama, a public regional school in Florence, Alabama, produces graduates earning $78,082—nearly matching Villanova while charging a net price of $9,741 versus Villanova's $17,823. Program outcomes, not prestige, explain that gap. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Debt burden tells a more complete story than earnings alone. The University of North Alabama graduates borrow $22,077 in student loans and face just a 5.5% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' tier, meaning loan payments take a minimal slice of post-grad income. For families weighing parent loans too, UNA's combined family burden lands at 10.6%, a 'Good' rating. Compare that to University of Mary Washington's 18.8% family burden, and the school-by-school variation becomes impossible to ignore.
Highest program earnings: $80,302
Strong outcomes ($78,082) with 87% acceptance rate
5.5% payment burden | Excellent — payment under 8% of discretionary
10.6% family burden | Good — payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $80,302 | 15 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Manageable |
| #2 | $78,082 | 8 | $22,077 | Excellent | $18,000 | Good | |
| #3 | $64,456 | 63 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $63,005 | 7 | — | — | — | — | |
| #5 | $59,594 | 31 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,240 | Challenging |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
