Best colleges for Physics in Indiana
Ranked by graduate earnings
Purdue University, University of Notre Dame and Indiana University - Bloomington award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Indiana: 92, 53 and 32 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 21 Indiana colleges offer Physics and award 253 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University West Lafayette Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,203 | 92 | 83% | — | $21,948 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Indiana
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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University West Lafayette Public | 92 | $30,203 |
| 2 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame Private not-for-profit | 53 | Not reported |
| 3 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington Public | 32 | Not reported |
| 4 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 5 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 6 | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 7 | Saint Mary's College Notre Dame Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 8 | Ball State University Muncie Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 9 | Valparaiso University Valparaiso Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 10 | DePauw University Greencastle Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 11 Indiana colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University - South Bend | South Bend | Public | 3 |
| Wabash College | Crawfordsville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond | Public | 3 |
| Earlham College | Richmond | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Goshen College | Goshen | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Taylor University | Upland | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Butler University | Indianapolis | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Hanover College | Hanover | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville | Public | 1 |
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute | Public | 1 |
| Manchester University | North Manchester | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Indiana
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Indiana.
Which Indiana colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
Purdue University (92 graduates a year), University of Notre Dame (53 graduates a year) and Indiana University - Bloomington (32 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Indiana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 21 Indiana colleges offer Physics.
Which Physics program in Indiana has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Purdue University tops the list at $30,203. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Indiana?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Indiana is $132,050 (median $105,940), across about 230 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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