Kansas · Physics

Best colleges for Physics in Kansas

Ranked by graduates a year

University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Kansas State University award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Kansas: 26, 14 and 12 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Kansas colleges offer Physics and award 71 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
10
offering CIP 40.08
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
71
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,826
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
56%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Physicists
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

10 institutions offering Physics in Kansas

Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.

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
1University of Kansas
Lawrence Public
—2669%——
2Wichita State University
Wichita Public
—1451%——
3Kansas State University
Manhattan Public
—1271%——
4Benedictine College
Atchison Private not-for-profit
—462%$24,826—
5Fort Hays State University
Hays Public
—448%——
6Washburn University
Topeka Public
—453%——
7MidAmerica Nazarene University
Olathe Private not-for-profit
—354%$28,845—
8Baker University
Baldwin City Private not-for-profit
—258%$21,404—
9Butler Community College
El Dorado Public
—132%——
10Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg Public
—157%——

Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Kansas

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)
1University of Kansas
Lawrence Public
26Not reported
2Wichita State University
Wichita Public
14Not reported
3Kansas State University
Manhattan Public
12Not reported
4Benedictine College
Atchison Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
5Fort Hays State University
Hays Public
4Not reported
6Washburn University
Topeka Public
4Not reported
7MidAmerica Nazarene University
Olathe Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
8Baker University
Baldwin City Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
9Butler Community College
El Dorado Public
1Not reported
10Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg Public
1Not reported

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 Kansas

Jobs in Kansas
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
$102,360 avg · 110 jobs
Physicists
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Kansas.

Which Kansas colleges award the most Physics degrees?+

University of Kansas (26 graduates a year), Wichita State University (14 graduates a year) and Kansas State University (12 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Kansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Kansas colleges offer Physics.

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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