Compare 35 Physics. programs in the South. Average earnings: $54,335.
The highest-earning Physics program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $29K earnings gap across 35 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
West Virginia Wesleyan College's Physics program leads with graduates earning $80,917, followed closely by Georgia Tech at $80,433. The average across all programs is $54,335, yet these outcomes show program quality varies independently of overall school reputation—West Virginia Wesleyan accepts 95% of applicants while delivering top results.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Maryland graduates borrow $19,000 and face just a 4.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. University of Florida achieves similar results with a 4.7% burden, proving that top programs can also be financially manageable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $80,917 | 7 | $27,000 | Excellent | $24,356 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $80,433 | 52 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $77,164 | 75 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $76,239 | 87 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Salisbury UniversityPublic | $73,937 | 20 | $21,000 | Excellent | $33,815 | Manageable |
| #6 | $72,524 | 41 | $17,988 | Excellent | $15,541 | Good | |
| #7 | $70,150 | 24 | $21,500 | Excellent | $19,809 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $67,271 | 75 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Challenging | |
| #9 | University Of FloridaPublic | $66,081 | 41 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Good |
| #10 | $64,598 | 28 | $17,527 | Excellent | $12,313 | Good | |
| #11 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $63,991 | 35 | $18,000 | Excellent | $17,000 | Manageable |
| #12 | $62,478 | 13 | $22,250 | Excellent | $15,753 | Manageable | |
| #13 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $57,435 | 31 | $21,500 | Good | $23,443 | Challenging |
| #14 | $57,318 | 27 | $18,000 | Excellent | $21,495 | Manageable | |
| #15 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $57,318 | 17 | $21,500 | Good | $28,086 | Challenging |
| #16 | $56,060 | 27 | $20,231 | Good | $21,919 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $53,329 | 37 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Challenging | |
| #18 | University Of DelawarePublic | $52,741 | 13 | $24,572 | Good | $43,000 | High |
| #19 | $52,289 | 32 | $17,500 | Good | $28,903 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $52,107 | 24 | $18,750 | Good | $10,771 | Manageable | |
| #21 | Georgia State UniversityPublic | $50,281 | 11 | $20,903 | Good | $14,837 | Challenging |
| #22 | $50,161 | 12 | $15,531 | Excellent | $13,835 | Manageable | |
| #23 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $47,260 | 13 | $20,093 | Good | $37,285 | High |
| #24 | $46,641 | 12 | $22,996 | Manageable | $36,278 | High | |
| #25 | $44,747 | 10 | $20,000 | Manageable | $14,229 | 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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
