Physics Degree in Fort Wayne, IN — Salary & ROI 2026
Physics degree analysis for Fort Wayne, IN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$64K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$108K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3 yrs
in Fort Wayne
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Physics in Fort Wayne, IN Overview
Fort Wayne is one of Indiana's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 17,119. Public tuition averages $8,380/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Physics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Fort Wayne is approximately $63,860, growing to $108,150 by mid-career.
Category
STEM
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$8,380/yr
Private Tuition
$30,416/yr
Room & Board
$12,588/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,185/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
68%
Physics Salary in Fort Wayne (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Wayne's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Physics salary: $62,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Fort Wayne adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Physics ROI Calculator for Fort Wayne
Estimate your return on investment for a Physics degree using local Fort Wayne tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,380 | Private avg: $30,416
Fort Wayne avg aid: $16,185/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$83,872
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$27,810
vs HS diploma in Fort Wayne
ROI Payback Period
3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Wayne
$688,628
Lifetime earnings premium ($772,500) minus total education cost ($83,872)
Student Loan Payoff for Physics in Fort Wayne
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Wayne for Physics
Purdue University Fort Wayne
public
$8,380/yr
$33,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne
$4,540/yr
Top Employers for Physics in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Physics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Wayne Hiring Sectors for STEM
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Physics Job Titles
Physics in Nearby Indiana Cities
Indianapolis, IN
$58K starting · COL 94
25 colleges
Evansville, IN
$53K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
South Bend, IN
$55K starting · COL 89
9 colleges
Carmel, IN
$65K starting · COL 105.2
4 colleges
Fishers, IN
$62K starting · COL 100.5
4 colleges
Bloomington, IN
$51K starting · COL 83
5 colleges
Hammond, IN
$58K starting · COL 93.1
4 colleges
Lafayette, IN
$53K starting · COL 84.8
3 colleges
Other STEM Majors in Fort Wayne
Prompt Engineering
$52K starting · 1.5 yr ROI
Computational Linguistics
$98K starting · 2 yr ROI
Computer Science
$88K starting · 2.8 yr ROI
Software Engineering
$91K starting · 2.7 yr ROI
Data Science
$84K starting · 3 yr ROI
Astrophysics
$88K starting · 3 yr ROI
Actuarial Science
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Cybersecurity
$82K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Physics degree outcomes in Fort Wayne, IN: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Physics programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Indiana.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Fort Wayne using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Physics graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Physics career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Physics grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Fort Wayne Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Indiana students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Indiana programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "indiana higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Physics Degree in Fort Wayne — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Physics ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Fort Wayne.