Best institutions to study Chemical Physics
A program that focuses on the scientific study of structural phenomena combining the disciplines of physical chemistry and atomic/molecular physics.
13 U.S. institutions graduated 42 Chemical Physics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0508, a specialization of Chemistry (CIP 40.05), and leads most directly to the Chemists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2031).
About Chemical Physics programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of structural phenomena combining the disciplines of physical chemistry and atomic/molecular physics. Includes instruction in heterogeneous structures, alignment and surface phenomena, quantum theory, mathematical physics, statistical and classical mechanics, chemical kinetics, and laser physics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Chemical Physics program, a branch of Chemistry, focuses on the scientific study of structural phenomena by integrating physical chemistry and atomic/molecular physics. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the intricate relationships between chemical and physical processes at the molecular level. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, graduates are well-equipped to tackle complex scientific challenges.
Students in the Chemical Physics program will gain essential skills in science, mathematics, and critical thinking. Coursework typically includes topics such as quantum theory, chemical kinetics, and laser physics, providing a comprehensive understanding of both physical chemistry and atomic physics.
Credentials awarded
What Chemical Physics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree26 graduates / yr · 9 institutions62%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship16 graduates / yr · 5 institutions38%
Graduates over time
Chemical Physics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 33 |
| 2013 | 45 |
| 2014 | 48 |
| 2015 | 53 |
| 2016 | 63 |
| 2017 | 51 |
| 2018 | 55 |
| 2019 | 51 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2021 | 45 |
| 2022 | 45 |
| 2023 | 52 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 42 |
Top 13 institutions for Chemical Physics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 12 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 2 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicDoctoral | 5 | 89% | — | $46,140 |
| 3 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 86% | — | $42,204 |
| 4 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicDoctoral | 4 | 74% | — | — |
| 5 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 96% | $14,644 | — |
| 6 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicDoctoral | 3 | 64% | — | $39,790 |
| 7 | Hendrix College Conway, ARPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 72% | $22,415 | — |
| 8 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicDoctoral | 2 | 61% | — | $39,614 |
| 9 | Rice University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 95% | $13,264 | — |
| 10 | Bowdoin College Brunswick, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 95% | $15,454 | — |
| 11 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 12 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 81% | — | $39,531 |
| 13 | The College of Wooster Wooster, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 74% | $22,491 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Chemistry field (CIP 40.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 11 states
Where Chemical Physics graduates come from. Each state links to all Chemistry programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 2 | 13 | Harvard University12 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 5 | University of Maryland - College Park5 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 4 | Kent State University at Kent3 / yr |
| California | 1 | 4 | University of California - Davis4 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 4 | University of Colorado Boulder4 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 4 | Brown University4 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 2 | Hendrix College2 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 2 | University of Nevada - Reno2 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 2 | Rice University2 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 1 | Bowdoin College1 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | Michigan State University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2031, Chemists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Chemical Physics program can pursue careers as chemists, natural sciences managers, or educators in postsecondary institutions. With a median wage of $84,150 and an expected growth rate of 4.9%, there are approximately 6,300 annual job openings in related fields, making this an attractive career choice for those with a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0508
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemistsprimary SOC 19-2031 | $91,240 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~6,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1052 | $93,250 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~1,900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1054 | $100,310 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~1,300 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Chemical Physics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
- Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
- Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
- Conduct quality control tests.
- Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
- Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
Tools and technology used
Other Chemistry specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Chemistry (CIP 40.05).
- ChemistryCIP 40.050118,075 graduates / yr1,168 institutions
- ChemistryCIP 40.0599551 graduates / yr58 institutions
- Forensic ChemistryCIP 40.0510353 graduates / yr30 institutions
- Polymer ChemistryCIP 40.0507partial data72 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Analytical ChemistryCIP 40.0502partial data38 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Environmental ChemistryCIP 40.050919 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Organic ChemistryCIP 40.0504limited data9 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Physical ChemistryCIP 40.0506partial data9 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Theoretical ChemistryCIP 40.0511partial data9 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Inorganic ChemistryCIP 40.0503limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Cheminformatics/
Chemistry Informatics40.0512
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Chemical Physics?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree or a Doctor's degree in research/scholarship.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, mathematics, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Chemical Physics?+
You can work as a chemist, natural sciences manager, or postsecondary educator.
What is the job outlook for Chemical Physics graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 6,300 openings and a median wage of $84,150.
What is the CIP code for Chemical Physics?+
Chemical Physics is CIP 40.0508 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Chemistry (CIP 40.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of structural phenomena combining the disciplines of physical chemistry and atomic/molecular physics. Includes instruction in heterogeneous structures, alignment and surface phenomena, quantum theory, mathematical physics, statistical and classical mechanics, chemical kinetics, and laser physics.
How many institutions offer Chemical Physics programs?+
13 U.S. institutions reported Chemical Physics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states, awarding 42 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Chemistry graduates.
How much do Chemical Physics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Chemists occupation, which Chemical Physics most directly leads to, pays a median of $91,240 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Chemistry field report median earnings of $39,790 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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