Arizona · Physics

Best colleges for Physics in Arizona

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Arizona, Arizona State University Campus Immersion and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Arizona: 148, 59 and 18 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Arizona colleges offer Physics and award 301 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Physics program focuses on the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. It encompasses various specializations, including Atomic/Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Optics/Optical Sciences, making it suitable…

Institutions
15
offering CIP 40.08
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
301
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$30,503
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$38,461
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
31%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Physicists
$159,730
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,5035968%—$24,700

Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Arizona

Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Arizona
Tucson Public
148Not reported
2Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe Public
59$30,503
3Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott
Prescott Private not-for-profit
18Not reported
4Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff Public
3Not reported
5Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale Public
3Not reported
6Cochise County Community College District
Sierra Vista Public
1Not reported
7Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Chandler Public
1Not reported
Show the other 8 Arizona colleges offering Physics
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Arizona State University Digital Immersion (Online)ScottsdalePublic35
Arizona Western CollegeYumaPublic22
Mesa Community CollegeMesaPublic4
Phoenix CollegePhoenixPublic2
Scottsdale Community CollegeScottsdalePublic2
Glendale Community CollegeGlendalePublic1
Dine CollegeTsailePublic1
Paradise Valley Community CollegePhoenixPublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.0%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~1,700
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$166,290
typically Doctoral or professional degree

Top skills

ScienceReading ComprehensionMathematicsCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive Listening

What Physicists earn in Arizona

Jobs in Arizona
120
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$159,730
median $130,500
Best-paying metro
$162,950
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

Related careers

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
$83,570 avg · 350 jobs
Physicists
$159,730 avg · 120 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Arizona.

Which Arizona colleges award the most Physics degrees?+

University of Arizona (148 graduates a year), Arizona State University Campus Immersion (59 graduates a year) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott (18 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Arizona, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Arizona colleges offer Physics.

Which Physics program in Arizona has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Arizona State University Campus Immersion tops the list at $30,503. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Physicists earn in Arizona?+

The average annual wage for Physicists in Arizona is $159,730 (median $130,500), across about 120 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Physics program?+

The Physics program focuses on the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. It encompasses various specializations, including Atomic/Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Optics/Optical Sciences, making it suitable…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop science, reading comprehension, mathematics, critical thinking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Physicists?+

The national job outlook is about +4.0% growth with around 1,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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