Georgia · Physics

Best colleges for Physics in Georgia

Ranked by graduate earnings

Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University and Georgia State University award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Georgia: 92, 38 and 36 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Georgia colleges offer Physics and award 263 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
17
offering CIP 40.08
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
263
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$31,001
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,641
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Physicists
$179,130
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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
1Georgia State University
Atlanta Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,0013653%—$26,296
2Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$62,478164%——

Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Georgia

Top 10 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)
1Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta Public
92Not reported
2Emory University
Atlanta Private not-for-profit
38Not reported
3Georgia State University
Atlanta Public
36$31,001
4Berry College
Mount Berry Private not-for-profit
16Not reported
5University of Georgia
Athens Public
15Not reported
6University of North Georgia
Dahlonega Public
11Not reported
7Morehouse College
Atlanta Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
8Valdosta State University
Valdosta Public
8Not reported
9Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw Public
8Not reported
10Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
Show the other 7 Georgia colleges offering Physics
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
University of West GeorgiaCarrolltonPublic7
Augusta UniversityAugustaPublic6
Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboroPublic5
Agnes Scott CollegeDecaturPrivate not-for-profit2
Mercer UniversityMaconPrivate not-for-profit2
Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgevillePublic1
Oglethorpe UniversityAtlantaPrivate not-for-profit1

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 Georgia

Jobs in Georgia
160
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$179,130
median $144,870
Best-paying metro
$178,430
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Related careers

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
$108,810 avg · 210 jobs
Physicists
$179,130 avg · 160 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Georgia.

Which Georgia colleges award the most Physics degrees?+

Georgia Institute of Technology (92 graduates a year), Emory University (38 graduates a year) and Georgia State University (36 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Georgia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Georgia colleges offer Physics.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Georgia State University tops the list at $31,001. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Physicists earn in Georgia?+

The average annual wage for Physicists in Georgia is $179,130 (median $144,870), across about 160 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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