Best colleges for Physics in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduate earnings
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University and University of Massachusetts-Lowell are the top bachelor's Physics programs in Massachusetts by graduate earnings. Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $54,773, College Scorecard. Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Massachusetts-Amherst award the most Physics degrees in Massachusetts: 114, 109 and 68 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 29 Massachusetts colleges offer Physics and award 626 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 3 bachelor's programs, 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 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,773 | 109 | 96% | $11,666 | $18,500 |
| 2 | Northeastern University Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,399 | 51 | 91% | $18,925 | $26,797 |
| 3 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,324 | 26 | 65% | — | $22,177 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Massachusetts
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 | Harvard University Cambridge Private not-for-profit | 114 | Not reported |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Private not-for-profit | 109 | $54,773 |
| 3 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public | 68 | Not reported |
| 4 | Northeastern University Boston Private not-for-profit | 51 | $49,399 |
| 5 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit | 38 | Not reported |
| 6 | Boston College Chestnut Hill Private not-for-profit | 27 | Not reported |
| 7 | Tufts University Medford Private not-for-profit | 27 | Not reported |
| 8 | Brandeis University Waltham Private not-for-profit | 26 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell Public | 26 | $48,324 |
| 10 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester Private not-for-profit | 21 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 19 Massachusetts colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | Boston | Public | 18 |
| Wellesley College | Wellesley | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| College of the Holy Cross | Worcester | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater | Public | 10 |
| Smith College | Northampton | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth | Public | 10 |
| Clark University | Worcester | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Gordon College | Wenham | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Amherst College | Amherst | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | Norton | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Williams College | Williamstown | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Holyoke Community College | Holyoke | Public | 4 |
| Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Merrimack College | North Andover | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner | Public | 2 |
| Springfield Technical Community College | Springfield | Public | 2 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Boston | Public | 1 |
| Simmons University | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Stonehill College | Easton | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Massachusetts
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Massachusetts.
Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
Harvard University (114 graduates a year), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (109 graduates a year) and University of Massachusetts-Amherst (68 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 29 Massachusetts colleges offer Physics.
What is the best college for Physics in Massachusetts?+
By graduate earnings, Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads among bachelor's Physics programs in Massachusetts, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $54,773, College Scorecard. Northeastern University and University of Massachusetts-Lowell follow. By degrees awarded, Harvard University is the largest, with 114 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Physics program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology tops the list at $54,773. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Massachusetts?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Massachusetts is $130,250 (median $106,410), across about 1,150 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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