Physical Sciences

Best Physical Sciences institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 134 U.S. colleges offering Physical Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 30 states.

Institutions
134
offering CIP 40.01
States offered
30
with a program page
With earnings data
8
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
2,645
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$27,007
1 year after graduation
US pay · Natural Sciences Managers
$173,500
BLS OEWS 2024

About Physical Sciences programs

The Physical Sciences program, also known as Physical Sciences, General, focuses on the study of non-living systems within the realm of natural science. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the principles that govern physical phenomena, encompassing various branches of physical sciences. It is ideal for those who are curious about the natural world and seek to explore the fundamental concepts that underpin it.

Learn more about Physical Sciences

What you'll learn

Students in the Physical Sciences program will develop essential skills in science, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework typically covers topics such as biology, chemistry, and the principles of administration and management, preparing students for a range of scientific inquiries and applications.

Top 8 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,4214968%$22,250
2CUNY Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY Public · Associate degree
$27,20311120%$8,875
3Middlesex College
Edison, NJ Public · Associate degree
$27,13616933%$7,250
4Western Nevada College
Carson City, NV Public · Associate degree
$27,00713641%
5CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY Public · Associate degree
$26,9484325%$9,000
6CUNY Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY Public · Associate degree
$23,2192424%
7Richard Bland College
South Prince George, VA Public · Associate degree
$20,2191519%$12,000
8CUNY LaGuardia Community College
Long Island City, NY Public · Associate degree
$19,8155424%$7,500

Offered across 30 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
Arizona11$41,421Arizona State University Campus Immersion
New Jerseylimited2$27,136Middlesex College
Nevadalimited1$27,007Western Nevada College
New York16$26,948CUNY Medgar Evers College
Virginialimited1$20,219Richard Bland College
Arkansaslimited1
California21
Connecticutlimited2
Georgia3
Kansaslimited2
Kentuckylimited1
Louisianalimited1
Mainelimited1
Marylandlimited2
Massachusetts5
Michigan4
Mississippilimited1
Nebraskalimited2
New Mexico6
North Carolinalimited2
Ohiolimited2
Oklahoma3
Oregonlimited1
Pennsylvania7
South Dakotalimited1
Texaslimited2
Utahlimited2
Washington27
West Virginialimited2
Indianalimited1

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9121, Natural Sciences Managers, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Physical Sciences program can expect a job outlook that is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 3.7% and approximately 8,500 annual openings. The median wage for careers in this field is $161,180, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.7%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~8,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$161,180
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
100,870
Natural Sciences Managers
US average pay
$173,500
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$161,180
annual

Top-paying metros

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$248,510avg
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$244,200avg
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
$235,530avg
Worcester, MA
$223,520avg
Midland, MI
$219,530avg

Related careers

Skills & knowledge in Physical Sciences programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Science
Active Listening
Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Speaking
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

Biology
English Language
Administration and Management
Computers and Electronics
Administrative
Chemistry

What graduates do on the job

  • Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
  • Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
  • Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
  • Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
  • Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
  • Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.

Tools & technology

Adobe AcrobatAdobe PhotoshopClinical trial management softwareESRI ArcGIS softwareGraphics softwareIBM Lotus 1-2-3IBM SPSS StatisticsIntegrated development environment IDE software

Concentrations within Physical Sciences

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Physical Sciences, General
    CIP 40.0101

    A program that focuses on the major topics, concepts, processes, and interrelationships of physical phenomena as studied in any combination of physical science disciplines.

Common questions

What is the focus of the Physical Sciences program?+

The program focuses on the study of non-living systems within natural science.

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, active listening, and more.

What is the job outlook for Physical Sciences graduates?+

The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.7%.

What is the median wage for careers in Physical Sciences?+

The median wage for careers in this field is $161,180.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

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