Physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $54,773/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 5.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #18 of 75 Physics programs Top 25%

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 $1,320K $1,218K $1,009K
Earnings Multiple 5.5x 5.1x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$240,624
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,252
67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$126,258
131% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $54,773/yr, edging above the $46,482 national average for Physics — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.1x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 24% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,500 in median debt against $54,773 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #18 of 75 nationally, this is a top-5% Physics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $126,258 show a 131% jump from the $54,773 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits 5% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, a smaller institution with 4,571 students in Cambridge, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $79,252 — 67% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology →

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

Physics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
A score of 60/100 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 $1,009,463 in decade earnings vs $1,319,606 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Physics program stand out?
Ranked #18 of 75 programs nationally, Massachusetts Institute of Technology lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology a hidden gem for Physics?
After financial aid, the average student pays $79,252 over four years — 67% below the $240,624 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 →