Compare 9 Physics. programs in New York. Average earnings: $55,053.
With top graduates earning $88,071, Physics stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $33K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Physics program leads with graduates earning $88,071, well above the $55,053 average across New York's 9 programs. Cornell follows at $74,531, while Stony Brook University reaches $69,154—demonstrating that strong outcomes span different institutional types.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 3.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Stony Brook leads with a 12.6% family burden—still manageable and proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $88,071 | 44 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Manageable | |
| #2 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $74,531 | 52 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable |
| #3 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $69,154 | 58 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Manageable |
| #4 | University At AlbanyPublic | $57,690 | 9 | $19,500 | Excellent | $22,398 | Manageable |
| #5 | Cuny City CollegePublic | $48,908 | 24 | $11,990 | Excellent | $17,460 | Manageable |
| #6 | $47,260 | 28 | $26,778 | Manageable | $35,625 | High | |
| #7 | Ithaca CollegePrivate | $46,774 | 14 | $24,000 | Manageable | $53,476 | High |
| #8 | $38,289 | 29 | $21,500 | Challenging | $35,000 | High | |
| #9 | New York UniversityPrivate | $24,802 | 67 | $20,500 | High | $64,795 | 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 →
