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Physics at Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,641/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 6.3x earnings multiple (2.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #53 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 $522K $519K $488K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.4x 6.3x 6.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.6x 2.5x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 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)
$81,936
Out-of-state: $204,744 (2.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,396
8% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Virginia Military Institute's Physics program produces graduates earning $46,641/yr — within striking distance of the $46,482 national average for this field.

At 6.3x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #53 out of 75 programs, Virginia Military Institute's financial outcomes for Physics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Virginia Military Institute

A 82% acceptance rate means Virginia Military Institute is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 1,560 in Lexington, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Military Institute →

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 Virginia Military Institute

Civil Engineering ($61,547) Computer Science ($58,225) Mechanical Engineering ($47,837) Economics ($46,046) International Relations and National Security Studies ($44,429) Psychology, General ($44,163) Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services ($43,923) Biology, General ($43,797)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Virginia Military Institute's Physics program score?
This program scores 45/100 — 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 →