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Physics at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,933/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #57 of 75 Physics programs

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 $557K $549K $510K
Earnings Multiple 2.1x 2.1x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,056
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$129,348
51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,961
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Cornell University's Physics graduates start at $50,933/yr — above the $46,482 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The financial case is thin at 2.1x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,961 in median debt clears quickly against $50,933 in annual earnings.

Ranked #57 of 75 Physics programs, Cornell University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Cornell University

Only 8% of applicants gain admission to Cornell University, reflecting elite selectivity, enrolling 15,935 students in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell University →

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 Cornell University

Computer Science ($152,656) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($103,650) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($100,516) Operations Research ($96,377) Agricultural Business and Management ($92,163) Mathematics ($87,251) Chemical Engineering ($85,578) Mechanical Engineering ($85,440)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at Cornell University?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Physics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $510,451 in decade earnings vs $556,909 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Cornell University a hidden gem for Physics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below the $264,056 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →