Best colleges for Physics in Maryland
Ranked by graduate earnings
Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland-College Park and University of Maryland-Baltimore County award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Maryland: 127, 115 and 36 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Maryland colleges offer Physics and award 341 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,825 | 115 | 89% | — | $20,194 |
| 2 | Salisbury University Salisbury Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $54,548 | 7 | 68% | — | $23,750 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Maryland
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 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Private not-for-profit | 127 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park Public | 115 | $39,825 |
| 3 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore Public | 36 | Not reported |
| 4 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 5 | Towson University Towson Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 6 | Salisbury University Salisbury Public | 7 | $54,548 |
| 7 | St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's City Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | Morgan State University Baltimore Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 9 | Washington College Chestertown Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | McDaniel College Westminster Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Maryland colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cecil College | North East | Public | 1 |
| Frostburg State University | Frostburg | Public | 1 |
| Loyola University Maryland | Baltimore | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University | Baltimore | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Maryland
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Maryland.
Which Maryland colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
Johns Hopkins University (127 graduates a year), University of Maryland-College Park (115 graduates a year) and University of Maryland-Baltimore County (36 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Maryland, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Maryland colleges offer Physics.
Which Physics program in Maryland has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Maryland-College Park tops the list at $39,825. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Maryland?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Maryland is $166,770 (median $174,390), across about 1,200 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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