Best colleges for Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
A program focusing on the use of physics principles in the analysis and evaluation of engineering problems and other scientific applications.
107 U.S. institutions graduated 1,121 Engineering Physics/Applied Physics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.1201, a specialization of Engineering Physics (CIP 14.12), and leads most directly to the Physicists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2012).
About Engineering Physics/Applied Physics programs
A program focusing on the use of physics principles in the analysis and evaluation of engineering problems and other scientific applications. Includes instruction in high- and low-temperature phenomena, computational physics, superconductivity, applied thermodynamics, molecular and particle physics applications, and space science research.
See also: 40.0801 - Physics, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Engineering Physics/Applied Physics program combines principles of physics with engineering applications, focusing on the analysis and evaluation of engineering problems. This program is ideal for students interested in applying scientific concepts to real-world challenges, including high- and low-temperature phenomena, computational physics, and space science research.
Students in this program will develop core skills in science, mathematics, and critical thinking. Coursework includes instruction in applied thermodynamics, superconductivity, and molecular physics, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to tackle complex engineering challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Engineering Physics/Applied Physics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree616 graduates / yr · 92 institutions55%
- Master's degree230 graduates / yr · 22 institutions21%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate137 graduates / yr · 4 institutions12%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship112 graduates / yr · 12 institutions10%
- Associate's degree21 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.9%
- Post-master's certificate5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Engineering Physics/Applied Physics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 635 |
| 2013 | 701 |
| 2014 | 787 |
| 2015 | 851 |
| 2016 | 885 |
| 2017 | 964 |
| 2018 | 1,015 |
| 2019 | 967 |
| 2020 | 923 |
| 2021 | 970 |
| 2022 | 1,033 |
| 2023 | 1,048 |
| 2024 | 1,034 |
| 2025 | 1,121 |
Top 50 institutions for Engineering Physics/Applied 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 starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management Wright-Patterson AFB, OHPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 141 | — | — | — |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor's | 90 | 85% | — | $64,304 |
| 3 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 65 | 82% | — | $72,858 |
| 4 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 58 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 5 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 52 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 6 | Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 45 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 7 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 38 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 8 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 33 | 67% | $38,899 | $56,889 |
| 9 | Murray State University Murray, KYPublicBachelor's | 31 | 61% | — | $58,025 |
| 10 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicMaster's | 29 | 72% | — | — |
| 11 | California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | 94% | $17,608 | — |
| 12 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 13 | Ohio State University Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 22 | 88% | — | — |
| 14 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 20 | 86% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor's | 20 | 74% | — | — |
| 16 | Biola University La Mirada, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 68% | $26,727 | — |
| 17 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 19 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 18 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CAPublicMaster's | 18 | — | — | — |
| 19 | Siena University Loudonville, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 75% | $30,138 | — |
| 20 | Rice University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 95% | $13,264 | — |
| 21 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 16 | 93% | — | — |
| 22 | Delaware State University Dover, DEPublicBachelor's | 13 | 39% | — | $54,210 |
| 23 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 93% | — | — |
| 24 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 25 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 68% | — | — |
| 26 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 82% | $38,931 | — |
| 27 | Snow College Ephraim, UTPublicAssociate's | 11 | 46% | — | — |
| 28 | Lansing Community College Lansing, MIPublicAssociate's | 8 | 25% | — | — |
| 29 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 30 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WIPublicBachelor's | 8 | 56% | — | $68,379 |
| 31 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor's | 7 | 68% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor's | 7 | 83% | — | — |
| 33 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 34 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 7 | 75% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicBachelor's | 6 | 62% | — | — |
| 36 | Marian University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 67% | $23,371 | — |
| 37 | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 78% | $36,775 | — |
| 38 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 39 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 76% | $28,970 | — |
| 40 | Randolph-Macon College Ashland, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 70% | $26,498 | — |
| 41 | Florida Polytechnic University Lakeland, FLPublicBachelor's | 6 | 55% | — | — |
| 42 | Morehouse College Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 59% | $36,431 | — |
| 43 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MOPublicBachelor's | 5 | 58% | — | — |
| 44 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 5 | 87% | $34,827 | — |
| 45 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OKPublicBachelor's | 5 | 40% | — | — |
| 46 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TNPublicBachelor's | 5 | 40% | — | — |
| 47 | Carroll University Waukesha, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 71% | $22,601 | — |
| 48 | University of Central Arkansas Conway, ARPublicBachelor's | 4 | 54% | — | — |
| 49 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 88% | $44,094 | — |
| 50 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor's | 4 | 69% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Engineering Physics field (CIP 14.12) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 35 states
Where Engineering Physics/Applied Physics graduates come from. Each state links to all Engineering Physics programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2012, Physicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Engineering Physics/Applied Physics program can pursue careers as physicists, architectural and engineering managers, and natural sciences managers. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an annual opening of 1,700 positions and a median wage of $166,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.1201
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Physicistsprimary SOC 19-2012 | $172,250 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~1,700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineers, All Other SOC 17-2199 | $122,930 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~9,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Engineering Physics/Applied 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
- Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
- Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
- Write research proposals to receive funding.
- Teach physics to students.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Doctor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in science, mathematics, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a physicist, engineering manager, or in other scientific roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 1,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Engineering Physics/Applied Physics?+
Engineering Physics/Applied Physics is CIP 14.1201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Engineering Physics (CIP 14.12). NCES defines it as: A program focusing on the use of physics principles in the analysis and evaluation of engineering problems and other scientific applications. Includes instruction in high- and low-temperature phenomena, computational physics, superconductivity, applied thermodynamics, molecular and particle physics applications, and space science research.
How many institutions offer Engineering Physics/Applied Physics programs?+
107 U.S. institutions reported Engineering Physics/Applied Physics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 35 states, awarding 1,121 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Engineering Physics graduates.
How much do Engineering Physics/Applied Physics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physicists occupation, which Engineering Physics/Applied Physics most directly leads to, pays a median of $172,250 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Engineering Physics field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $58,025, 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Engineering Physics graduates, so its figures match the Engineering Physics program page.
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