Compare 5 Physics. programs in Pennsylvania. Average earnings: $52,735.
The highest-earning Physics program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $32K earnings gap across 5 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. Pennsylvania's physics graduates earn between $37K and $68K—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Pennsylvania's Physics program leads with graduates earning $68,215, while Allegheny College follows at $64,070. The average across all programs is $53K, yet this lesser-known liberal arts college nearly matches Penn's outcomes. Pennsylvania State University rounds out the top three at $49,519, proving program evaluation requires looking beyond school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Pennsylvania graduates borrow $16K and face just a 4.7% 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 0.23.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $68,215 | 60 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Manageable |
| #2 | Allegheny CollegePrivate | $64,070 | 15 | $27,000 | Good | $30,598 | Challenging |
| #3 | $49,519 | 66 | $25,000 | Manageable | $38,368 | High | |
| #4 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $45,198 | 6 | $25,874 | Manageable | $40,000 | High |
| #5 | $36,674 | 5 | $26,000 | High | $26,389 | 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 →
