New Jersey · Physics

Best colleges for Physics in New Jersey

Ranked by graduate earnings

Princeton University, Rutgers University - New Brunswick and Rowan University award the most Physics degrees in New Jersey: 93, 53 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 New Jersey colleges offer Physics and award 274 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
14
offering CIP 40.08
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
274
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$35,689
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$27,376
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
69%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Physicists
$175,090
BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

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
1Rowan University
Glassboro Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,4352567%—$27,000
2Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,6895384%—$26,974
3Montclair State University
Montclair Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$39,740765%——

Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in New Jersey

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.

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. * Campuses that share a federal aid ID report one College Scorecard figure.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Princeton University
Princeton Private not-for-profit
93Not reported
2Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick Public
53$35,689*
3Rowan University
Glassboro Public
25$36,435
4Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken Private not-for-profit
24Not reported
5Seton Hall University
South Orange Private not-for-profit
17Not reported
6The College of New Jersey
Ewing Public
15Not reported
7New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark Public
13Not reported
8Rutgers University - Newark
Newark Public
8$35,689*
9Montclair State University
Montclair Public
7$39,740
10Stockton University
Galloway Public
7Not reported
Show the other 4 New Jersey colleges offering Physics
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
New Jersey City UniversityJersey CityPublic4
Drew UniversityMadisonPrivate not-for-profit3
Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwahPublic3
Atlantic Cape Community CollegeMays LandingPublic2

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 New Jersey

Jobs in New Jersey
470
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$175,090
median $163,270
Best-paying metro
$153,100
Trenton-Princeton, NJ

Related careers

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
$103,930 avg · 530 jobs
Physicists
$175,090 avg · 470 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Physics programs in New Jersey.

Which New Jersey colleges award the most Physics degrees?+

Princeton University (93 graduates a year), Rutgers University - New Brunswick (53 graduates a year) and Rowan University (25 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees in New Jersey, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 New Jersey colleges offer Physics.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Rowan University tops the list at $36,435. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Physicists earn in New Jersey?+

The average annual wage for Physicists in New Jersey is $175,090 (median $163,270), across about 470 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.

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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