Engineering Physics at Murray State University

Murray, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
54
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,025/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (52% exposed)
Job Market Large (38,100 openings/yr)
ROI 15.6x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 8 Engineering Physics programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $619K $605K $549K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.9x 15.6x 14.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 7.8x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 47%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 54 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,832
Out-of-state: $77,808 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$36,484
6% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,521
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$67,485
16% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $58,025/yr, roughly in line with the $60,193 national median for Engineering Physics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Engineering Physics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Engineering Physics's typical career paths, with 52% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $58,025 far exceeding the $19,521 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

This program is one of 8 schools offering Engineering Physics in our dataset — a specialized field with limited comparison points.

About Murray State University

Murray State University accepts 86% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 6,646 students in Murray, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Murray State University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Physicists $166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Engineering Physics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Murray State University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering Physics at Murray State University?
A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Engineering Physics field.
Will AI replace Engineering Physics careers?
With 52% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $548,994 in decade earnings vs $618,998 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →