Best colleges for Physics and Astronomy in California
Ranked by graduates a year
University of California-Irvine and Whittier College award the most Physics and Astronomy degrees and certificates in California: 6 and 3 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 2 California colleges offer Physics and Astronomy and award 9 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Physics and Astronomy program focuses on the scientific study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces that govern the universe. Students in this program delve into the principles of physics and explore astronomical phenomena,…
2 institutions offering Physics and Astronomy 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 | University of California-Irvine Irvine Public | — | 6 | 87% | — | — |
| 2 | Whittier College Whittier Private not-for-profit | — | 3 | 60% | $28,683 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Physics and Astronomy degrees in California
Top 2 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 | University of California-Irvine Irvine Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 2 | Whittier College Whittier Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
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 Physics and Astronomy programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Physics and Astronomy degrees?+
University of California-Irvine (6 graduates a year) and Whittier College (3 graduates a year) award the most Physics and Astronomy degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 2 California colleges offer Physics and Astronomy.
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 Physics and Astronomy program?+
The Physics and Astronomy program focuses on the scientific study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces that govern the universe. Students in this program delve into the principles of physics and explore astronomical phenomena,…
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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