Home › Texas Tech University › Physics

Physics at Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
54
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $57,435/yr (24% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.6x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #33 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 $609K $595K $545K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.9x 12.6x 11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.1x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
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)
$47,408
Out-of-state: $97,804 (6.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$80,284
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $57,435 at Texas Tech University come in 24% above the national median of $46,482 for Physics programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.6x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $57,435 far exceeding the $21,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #33 of 75 Physics programs, Texas Tech University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 32,446 in Lubbock, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas Tech 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 Texas Tech University

Computer Engineering ($85,619) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($82,521) Petroleum Engineering ($80,460) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($79,544) Chemical Engineering ($77,586) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($76,708) Construction Engineering ($75,421) Civil Engineering ($74,655)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at Texas Tech University?
A score of 54/100 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 $544,784 in decade earnings vs $609,384 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →