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Physics at California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
58
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $57,114/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 19.3x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #26 of 75 Physics programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Physics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $607K $593K $543K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.8x 19.3x 17.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.8x 7.6x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 58 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,700
Out-of-state: $78,220 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$23,672
23% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

California State University-San Bernardino's Physics graduates start at $57,114/yr — above the $46,482 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Physics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Physics's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

At #26 of 75 Physics programs, California State University-San Bernardino scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About California State University-San Bernardino

A 98% acceptance rate means California State University-San Bernardino is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 15,771 students in San Bernardino, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 57% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Bernardino →

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Physics teachers, postsecondary $97,360/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 75 schools offering Physics →

Physics at Other Schools

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($70,150) Brigham Young University ($68,664) University of Pennsylvania ($68,215) Whitworth University ($65,316) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($64,045) Portland State University ($62,749) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($62,647) Georgia College & State University ($62,478)

Other Majors at California State University-San Bernardino

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($93,142) Computer Engineering ($49,043) Computer Science ($45,846) Human Resources Management and Services ($45,144) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($42,180) Finance and Financial Management Services ($41,467) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($40,817) Accounting and Related Services ($40,688)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at California State University-San Bernardino?
A score of 58/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Physics field.
Will AI replace Physics careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $543,087 in decade earnings vs $606,793 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →