Perhaps the graduates are annoying, but I think there is an assumption that if you can do physics you can succeed in other areas (which may not be assumed in reverse).
Either way, much of the value of a degree is signaling and there are other ways to signal competence, e.g. open source projects (might be less expensive but harder).
This conversation makes me think of physics, which I'd consider the liberal arts of scientific degrees.
https://xkcd.com/793/
Perhaps the graduates are annoying, but I think there is an assumption that if you can do physics you can succeed in other areas (which may not be assumed in reverse).
Either way, much of the value of a degree is signaling and there are other ways to signal competence, e.g. open source projects (might be less expensive but harder).