Physics at Western Illinois University
IL · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 40.08
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Physics degree from Western Illinois University earn a median salary of $72,585 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in IL, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $79,069. The degree typically pays for itself in 5.1 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where bachelor's graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$45,557
Typical Career
$72,585
Top Performers
$100,194
Estimated break-even: 5.1 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$484
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $6,049. Most students can comfortably afford about a $484 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.9x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.9x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Illinois buys what costs $0.92 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Educational Services, Public Administration, Health Care & Social Assistance.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for bachelor's graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$79,069
Nominal: $72,585 in Illinois (COL 91.8% of national avg) · 8.9% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $38,967 | $65,986 | $75,801 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $45,557 | $72,585 | $100,194 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $78,278 | $126,300 | $142,462 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $72,585 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in IL, which has a cost-of-living index of 91.8% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $72,585 × (1.0 ÷ 0.9180)
= $79,069 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
In terms of career pathways, graduates predominantly enter sectors such as Educational Services (18.5%), Public Administration (13.8%), and Health Care & Social Assistance (12.7%). The estimated break-even point for pursuing a degree versus a high-school-only path is approximately 5.1 years, suggesting that the investment in a Physics degree can yield a favorable return on investment over time. Overall, the data reflects a solid potential for career advancement and financial stability for graduates in this field.
AI-assisted editorial analysis based on Census PSEO data. Fact-checked against source data.
Compare with Another School
See how the Physics degree at Western Illinois University stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.