Compare 13 Physics. programs in California. Average earnings: $63,744.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Physics tells a different story. Across 13 programs, earnings range from $37,859 to $88,722—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of California-Santa Barbara's Physics program leads with graduates earning $88,722, nearly matching Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at $88,601. The average across all programs is $63,744, showing how the top UC and Cal State programs significantly outperform expectations based solely on institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Santa Barbara graduates borrow $13,993 and face just a 2.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.16.
Highest program earnings: $88,722
Strong outcomes ($66,529) with 96% acceptance
2.9% payment burden | Excellent
9.2% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $88,722 | 161 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Good | |
| #2 | $88,601 | 38 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $77,660 | 78 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Good | |
| #4 | $73,644 | 66 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #5 | $66,938 | 46 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $66,529 | 17 | $17,350 | Excellent | $18,031 | Good | |
| #7 | $61,607 | 135 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $58,587 | 53 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $57,114 | 15 | $14,715 | Excellent | $12,000 | Good | |
| #10 | $56,586 | 38 | $17,500 | Excellent | $18,275 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $51,682 | 39 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $43,144 | 55 | $15,000 | Good | $22,665 | High | |
| #13 | $37,859 | 43 | $16,666 | Manageable | $28,682 | 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 →
