Best colleges for Physics in Iowa
Ranked by graduates a year
University of Iowa, Iowa State University and Grinnell College award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Iowa: 34, 33 and 20 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Iowa colleges offer Physics and award 115 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…
14 institutions offering Physics in Iowa
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 Iowa Iowa City Public | — | 34 | 75% | — | — |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames Public | — | 33 | 75% | — | — |
| 3 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit | — | 20 | 88% | $14,470 | — |
| 4 | Coe College Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit | — | 13 | 66% | $18,153 | $27,000 |
| 5 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | — | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 6 | Central College Pella Private not-for-profit | — | 2 | 66% | $19,732 | — |
| 7 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | — | 2 | 74% | $28,855 | — |
| 8 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids Public | — | 2 | 43% | — | — |
| 9 | Cornell College Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 62% | $23,073 | — |
| 10 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public | — | 1 | 39% | — | — |
| 11 | Dordt University Sioux Center Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 70% | $24,569 | — |
| 12 | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport Public | — | 1 | 45% | — | — |
| 13 | Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 63% | $20,710 | — |
| 14 | Wartburg College Waverly Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 64% | $20,228 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Iowa
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 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 34 | Not reported |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 33 | Not reported |
| 3 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit | 20 | Not reported |
| 4 | Coe College Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 6 | Central College Pella Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 7 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 8 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 9 | Cornell College Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 10 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Iowa colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dordt University | Sioux Center | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport | Public | 1 |
| Simpson College | Indianola | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Wartburg College | Waverly | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
University of Iowa (34 graduates a year), Iowa State University (33 graduates a year) and Grinnell College (20 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Iowa colleges offer Physics.
How much do Physicists earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Iowa is $176,230 (median $178,110), across about 110 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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