Physics Degree in Topeka, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Physics degree analysis for Topeka, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$88K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.5 yrs
in Topeka
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Physics in Topeka, KS Overview
Topeka, Kansas (pop. 126,587) has 14 colleges offering Physics programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,052/month. Physics enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Topeka is approximately $52,080, growing to $88,200 by mid-career.
Category
STEM
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$44,161/yr
Room & Board
$11,239/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,855/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
75%
Physics Salary in Topeka (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Topeka's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Physics salary: $62,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Topeka adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Physics ROI Calculator for Topeka
Estimate your return on investment for a Physics degree using local Topeka tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $44,161
Topeka avg aid: $13,855/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,516
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,680
vs HS diploma in Topeka
ROI Payback Period
3.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Topeka
$550,484
Lifetime earnings premium ($630,000) minus total education cost ($79,516)
Student Loan Payoff for Physics in Topeka
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Topeka for Physics
Washburn University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washburn Institute of Technology
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Physics in Topeka
Topeka offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Physics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Topeka Hiring Sectors for STEM
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Physics Job Titles
Physics in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$64K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$64K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$51K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$60K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$67K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$54K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$60K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$59K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other STEM Majors in Topeka
Prompt Engineering
$42K starting · 1.5 yr ROI
Computational Linguistics
$80K starting · 2 yr ROI
Computer Science
$71K starting · 2.8 yr ROI
Software Engineering
$74K starting · 2.7 yr ROI
Data Science
$69K starting · 3 yr ROI
Actuarial Science
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Cybersecurity
$67K starting · 3 yr ROI
Robotics Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Physics Degree in Topeka — 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 Topeka.