Best colleges for Physics in Ohio
Ranked by graduate earnings
Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University and University of Toledo award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Ohio: 106, 32 and 27 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 29 Ohio colleges offer Physics and award 364 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State University Columbus Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,504 | 106 | 88% | — | $23,357 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Ohio
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 | Ohio State University Columbus Public | 106 | $53,504 |
| 2 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland Private not-for-profit | 32 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Toledo Toledo Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 5 | Ohio University Athens Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 6 | Kent State University at Kent Kent Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 7 | Kenyon College Gambier Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 8 | Denison University Granville Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 9 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 10 | Wright State University Dayton Public | 13 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 19 Ohio colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oberlin College | Oberlin | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| The College of Wooster | Wooster | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Bowling Green State University | Bowling Green | Public | 8 |
| Marietta College | Marietta | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Cleveland State University | Cleveland | Public | 5 |
| University of Mount Union | Alliance | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Baldwin Wallace University | Berea | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| University of Dayton | Dayton | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| John Carroll University | University Heights | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Stark State College | North Canton | Public | 3 |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | Delaware | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Sinclair Community College | Dayton | Public | 2 |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Public | 2 |
| Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management (Graduate only) | Wright-Patterson AFB | Public | 1 |
| Cedarville University | Cedarville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Hiram College | Hiram | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Otterbein University | Westerville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Wittenberg University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Xavier University | Cincinnati | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Ohio
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Ohio.
Which Ohio colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
Ohio State University (106 graduates a year), Case Western Reserve University (32 graduates a year) and University of Toledo (27 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Ohio, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 29 Ohio colleges offer Physics.
Which Physics program in Ohio has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Ohio State University tops the list at $53,504. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Ohio?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Ohio is $172,300 (median $162,900), across about 630 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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