Physics Degree in Springfield, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Physics degree analysis for Springfield, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4 yrs
in Springfield
Cost of Living
80
index (100 = avg)
Physics in Springfield, MO Overview
While Springfield has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Physics students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $13,383/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Physics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Springfield is approximately $49,600, growing to $84,000 by mid-career.
Category
STEM
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$8,210/yr
Private Tuition
$33,330/yr
Room & Board
$13,383/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,942/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
52%
Physics Salary in Springfield (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Springfield's cost of living index of 80 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Physics salary: $62,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Springfield adjustment factor: 0.80x based on the local cost of living index.
Physics ROI Calculator for Springfield
Estimate your return on investment for a Physics degree using local Springfield tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,210 | Private avg: $33,330
Springfield avg aid: $13,942/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,372
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,600
vs HS diploma in Springfield
ROI Payback Period
4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Springfield
$513,628
Lifetime earnings premium ($600,000) minus total education cost ($86,372)
Student Loan Payoff for Physics in Springfield
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Springfield for Physics
Missouri State University
public
$8,210/yr
$32,840 total
Drury University
private
$33,330/yr
$133,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ozarks Technical Community College
$3,900/yr
Top Employers for Physics in Springfield
Springfield offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Physics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Springfield Hiring Sectors for STEM
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Physics Job Titles
Physics in Nearby Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$58K starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$60K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Columbia, MO
$52K starting · COL 84
10 colleges
Independence, MO
$53K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
Lee's Summit, MO
$59K starting · COL 95.5
4 colleges
OFallon, MO
$54K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$56K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$52K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other STEM Majors in Springfield
Prompt Engineering
$40K starting · 1.5 yr ROI
Computational Linguistics
$76K starting · 2 yr ROI
Computer Science
$68K starting · 2.8 yr ROI
Software Engineering
$70K starting · 2.7 yr ROI
Data Science
$66K starting · 3 yr ROI
Astrophysics
$68K starting · 3 yr ROI
Actuarial Science
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Cybersecurity
$64K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Physics degree outcomes in Springfield, MO: 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 Missouri.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Springfield 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 Springfield Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Missouri 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 — Missouri programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "missouri 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 Springfield — 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 Springfield.