Best colleges for Physics in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Pennsylvania State University, University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 89, 75 and 74 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 45 Pennsylvania colleges offer Physics and award 544 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 2 institutions, 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 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,215 | 75 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,461 | 89 | 86% | — | $23,830 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Pennsylvania
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 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 89 | $43,461 |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 75 | $68,215 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public | 74 | Not reported |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 53 | Not reported |
| 5 | Drexel University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 26 | Not reported |
| 6 | Temple University Philadelphia Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 7 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 8 | Haverford College Haverford Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 9 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 10 | Gettysburg College Gettysburg Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 35 Pennsylvania colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University - World Campus (Online) | University Park | Public | 12 |
| Swarthmore College | Swarthmore | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Lafayette College | Easton | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Slippery Rock | Public | 8 |
| Susquehanna University | Selinsgrove | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | West Chester | Public | 8 |
| Allegheny College | Meadville | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Moravian University | Bethlehem | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Bryn Mawr College | Bryn Mawr | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Franklin and Marshall College | Lancaster | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Juniata College | Huntingdon | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Lebanon Valley College | Annville | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana | Public | 5 |
| Ursinus College | Collegeville | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg | Public | 5 |
| Dickinson College | Carlisle | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Pennsylvania Western University | California | Public | 4 |
| Muhlenberg College | Allentown | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie-Behrend College | Erie | Public | 3 |
| Albright College | Reading | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | Public | 2 |
| Lycoming College | Williamsport | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Saint Vincent College | Latrobe | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Villanova University | Villanova | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Washington & Jefferson College | Washington | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Community College of Beaver County | Monaca | Public | 1 |
| Chatham University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Grove City College | Grove City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Messiah University | Mechanicsburg | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville | Public | 1 |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Shippensburg | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
Pennsylvania State University (89 graduates a year), University of Pennsylvania (75 graduates a year) and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (74 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 45 Pennsylvania colleges offer Physics.
Which Physics program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Pennsylvania tops the list at $68,215. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Pennsylvania is $191,120 (median $210,990), across about 230 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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