Best colleges for Physics in Colorado
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University - Fort Collins and University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus award the most Physics degrees in Colorado: 147, 28 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 Colorado colleges offer Physics and award 272 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…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,927 | 28 | 67% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,874 | 147 | 74% | — | $20,635 |
| 3 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,373 | 11 | 51% | — | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Colorado
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 Colorado Boulder Boulder Public | 147 | $41,874 |
| 2 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins Public | 28 | $51,927 |
| 3 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 4 | Colorado School of Mines Golden Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 5 | Colorado College Colorado Springs Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley Public | 11 | $34,373 |
| 7 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Denver Denver Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 10 | Regis University Denver Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 6 Colorado colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction | Public | 2 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver | Public | 2 |
| Community College of Aurora | Aurora | Public | 1 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango | Public | 1 |
| Front Range Community College | Westminster | Public | 1 |
| Pikes Peak State College | Colorado Springs | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Colorado
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Colorado.
Which Colorado colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
University of Colorado Boulder (147 graduates a year), Colorado State University - Fort Collins (28 graduates a year) and University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (25 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 Colorado colleges offer Physics.
Which Physics program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Colorado State University - Fort Collins tops the list at $51,927. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Colorado?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Colorado is $128,830 (median $104,580), across about 1,050 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.
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