Best colleges for Engineering Physics in California
Ranked by graduates a year
California Institute of Technology, University of California-San Diego and Biola University award the most Engineering Physics degrees and certificates in California: 25, 20 and 19 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 California colleges offer Engineering Physics and award 102 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Engineering Physics is a dynamic field that merges pure science with engineering principles, preparing students for innovative problem-solving in technology and research. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about…
9 institutions offering Engineering Physics in California
Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Institute of Technology Pasadena Private not-for-profit | — | 25 | 94% | $17,608 | — |
| 2 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public | — | 20 | 86% | — | — |
| 3 | Biola University La Mirada Private not-for-profit | — | 19 | 68% | $26,727 | — |
| 4 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey Public Graduate only | — | 18 | — | — | — |
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public | — | 12 | 93% | — | — |
| 6 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara Private not-for-profit | — | 4 | 88% | $44,094 | — |
| 7 | Whittier College Whittier Private not-for-profit | — | 2 | 60% | $28,683 | — |
| 8 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 79% | $36,488 | — |
| 9 | Westmont College Santa Barbara Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 70% | $28,035 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Engineering Physics degrees in California
Top 8 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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Institute of Technology Pasadena Private not-for-profit | 25 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 3 | Biola University La Mirada Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 5 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 6 | Whittier College Whittier Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 7 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 8 | Westmont College Santa Barbara Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 California colleges offering Engineering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Postgraduate School (Graduate only) | Monterey | Public | 18 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Engineering Physics programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Engineering Physics degrees?+
California Institute of Technology (25 graduates a year), University of California-San Diego (20 graduates a year) and Biola University (19 graduates a year) award the most Engineering Physics degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 California colleges offer Engineering Physics.
How much do Physicists earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in California is $201,930 (median $207,490), across about 5,930 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Engineering Physics program?+
Engineering Physics is a dynamic field that merges pure science with engineering principles, preparing students for innovative problem-solving in technology and research. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about…
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.
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