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Physical Sciences at Empire State University

Saratoga Springs, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Physical Sciences, Other
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
58
Optimistic
58
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $59,562/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk High (32% exposed)
Job Market Medium (24,000 openings/yr)
ROI 20.6x earnings multiple (9.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 2 Physical Sciences, Other programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $640K $629K $589K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.0x 20.6x 19.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.1x 9.0x 8.4x
Probability of Field Employment 77% 72% 60%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 58 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,520
Out-of-state: $70,160 (9.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$44,588
-46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,209
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Empire State University Physical Sciences graduates command $59,562/yr out of the gate, well above the $47,513 national median. That 25% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Physical Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Physical Sciences's typical career paths, with 32% 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 — $18,209 in median debt clears quickly against $59,562 in annual earnings.

This program is one of 2 schools offering Physical Sciences in our dataset — a specialized field with limited comparison points.

About Empire State University

with a mid-sized student body of 7,046 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at Empire State University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Physical scientists, all other $117,960/yr
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 2 schools offering Physical Sciences →

Physical Sciences at Other Schools

University of Mary Washington ($35,464)

Other Majors at Empire State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($94,830) Business/Commerce, General ($57,225) Public Policy Analysis ($52,614) English Language and Literature/Letters, Other ($48,651) Community Organization and Advocacy ($45,544) Fine and Studio Arts ($39,946) Psychology, General ($39,188) Education, General ($39,046)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physical Sciences at Empire State University?
A score of 58/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Physical Sciences field.
Will AI replace Physical Sciences careers?
With 32% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $589,258 in decade earnings vs $639,576 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →