Nebraska · Physics

Best colleges for Physics in Nebraska

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Creighton University and University of Nebraska at Omaha award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Nebraska: 30, 7 and 7 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 Nebraska colleges offer Physics and award 55 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
8
offering CIP 40.08
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
55
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$47,670
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,390
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
59%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Physicists
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, 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.

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 Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln Public · Bachelor's degree
$47,6703067%—$25,209

Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Nebraska

Top 8 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 Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln Public
30$47,670
2Creighton University
Omaha Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
3University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha Public
7Not reported
4University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney Public
4Not reported
5Nebraska Wesleyan University
Lincoln Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
6Concordia University - Nebraska
Seward Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
7Hastings College
Hastings Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
8Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff 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 Nebraska

Jobs in Nebraska
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
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Related careers

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
$108,010 avg · 70 jobs
Physicists
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Common questions

Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Nebraska.

Which Nebraska colleges award the most Physics degrees?+

University of Nebraska-Lincoln (30 graduates a year), Creighton University (7 graduates a year) and University of Nebraska at Omaha (7 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Nebraska, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 Nebraska colleges offer Physics.

Which Physics program in Nebraska has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Nebraska-Lincoln tops the list at $47,670. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

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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