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Physics at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $32,341/yr (-30% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)

ROI 6.0x earnings multiple (2.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #68 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	$407K	$417K	$412K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	5.8x	6.0x	5.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.5x	2.6x	2.6x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	62%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	29	28	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$69,848

Out-of-state: $160,520 (2.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$35,584

49% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,460

9.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,341 place University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus below the $46,482 national median for Physics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.0x 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 -1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,460 represents roughly 9 months of the $32,341 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #68 of 75 Physics programs, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 746 students in Waterbury, CT. 50% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $35,584 — 49% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus →

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 University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?

A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Physics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $412,278 in decade earnings vs $406,861 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Physics from University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →