New York · Physical Sciences

Best colleges for Physical Sciences in New York

Ranked by graduate earnings

Columbia University, Stony Brook University and CUNY Hunter College award the most Physical Sciences degrees and certificates in New York: 15, 7 and 2 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 New York colleges offer Physical Sciences and award 179 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Physical Sciences program focuses on the study of non-living systems, encompassing various branches of natural science. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the fundamental principles that govern the physical…

Institutions
4
offering CIP 40.99
States offered
19
with a program page
Degrees / yr
179
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$59,562
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$15,315
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
68%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Physical Scientists, All Other
$121,990
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
1Empire State University
Saratoga Springs Public · Bachelor's degree Degree completion
$59,56215541%—$23,976

Colleges awarding the most Physical Sciences degrees in New York

Top 3 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)
1Columbia University
New York Private not-for-profit
15Not reported
2Stony Brook University
Stony Brook Public
7Not reported
3CUNY Hunter College
New York Public
2Not reported
Show the other 1 New York colleges offering Physical Sciences
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Empire State University (Degree completion)Saratoga SpringsPublic155

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Physical Scientists, All Other (SOC 19-2099).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+0.6%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~2,000
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$117,960
typically Bachelor's degree

What Physical Scientists, All Other earn in New York

Jobs in New York
1,510
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$121,990
median $117,820
Best-paying metro
$135,570
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Related careers

Physical Scientists, All Other
$121,990 avg · 1,510 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Physical Sciences programs in New York.

Which New York colleges award the most Physical Sciences degrees?+

Columbia University (15 graduates a year), Stony Brook University (7 graduates a year) and CUNY Hunter College (2 graduates a year) award the most Physical Sciences degrees and certificates in New York, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 New York colleges offer Physical Sciences.

How much do Physical Scientists, All Other earn in New York?+

The average annual wage for Physical Scientists, All Other in New York is $121,990 (median $117,820), across about 1,510 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Physical Sciences program?+

The Physical Sciences program focuses on the study of non-living systems, encompassing various branches of natural science. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the fundamental principles that govern the physical…

What is the job outlook for Physical Scientists, All Other?+

The national job outlook is about +0.6% growth with around 2,000 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's 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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