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Physics at University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,144/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 8.7x earnings multiple (2.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #55 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 $494K $494K $469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.7x 8.7x 8.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.7x 2.7x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,948
Out-of-state: $180,056 (2.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,360
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,590
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

University of California-Irvine's Physics program produces graduates earning $43,144/yr — within striking distance of the $46,482 national average for this field.

At 8.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,590 in median debt clears quickly against $43,144 in annual earnings.

At #55 out of 75 programs, University of California-Irvine's financial outcomes for Physics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of California-Irvine

Admission to University of California-Irvine is competitive, with 26% of applicants accepted, one of the larger campuses at 29,494 students in Irvine, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Irvine →

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 University of California-Irvine

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($87,715) Computer Science ($82,161) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,412) Computer Engineering ($79,812) Civil Engineering ($73,835) Management Information Systems and Services ($68,786) Mechanical Engineering ($67,633) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($67,425)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Irvine's Physics program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Physics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Physics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Physics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →