Maine · Physics

Best colleges for Physics in Maine

Ranked by graduates a year

Colby College, Bates College and Bowdoin College award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Maine: 18, 16 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Maine colleges offer Physics and award 60 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
5
offering CIP 40.08
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
60
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
$15,696
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
74%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Physicists
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

5 institutions offering Physics in Maine

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
1Colby College
Waterville Private not-for-profit
—1889%$15,696—
2Bates College
Lewiston Private not-for-profit
—1690%$18,203—
3Bowdoin College
Brunswick Private not-for-profit
—1395%$15,454—
4University of Maine
Orono Public
—1055%——
5University of Southern Maine
Portland Public
—340%——

Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Maine

Top 5 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)
1Colby College
Waterville Private not-for-profit
18Not reported
2Bates College
Lewiston Private not-for-profit
16Not reported
3Bowdoin College
Brunswick Private not-for-profit
13Not reported
4University of Maine
Orono Public
10Not reported
5University of Southern Maine
Portland Public
3Not 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 Maine

Jobs in Maine
60
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
$84,480
Portland-South Portland, ME

Related careers

Physicists
— avg · 60 jobs
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
$112,110 avg · 60 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Maine.

Which Maine colleges award the most Physics degrees?+

Colby College (18 graduates a year), Bates College (16 graduates a year) and Bowdoin College (13 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Maine, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Maine 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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