Best colleges for Physics
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Physics by graduate earnings are University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($70,150), Brigham Young University ($68,664) and University of Pennsylvania ($68,215), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Charlotte, NC): $70,150, 44 graduates a year
- Brigham Young University (Provo, UT): $68,664, 54 graduates a year
- University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA): $68,215, 75 graduates a year
- California State Polytechnic University - Pomona (Pomona, CA): $64,045, 23 graduates a year
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC): $62,647, 51 graduates a year
Compare 816 U.S. colleges offering Physics by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 53 states.
Physics programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,169 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 40.08 and the Physicists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Physics programs
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 for students interested in understanding the principles governing the physical world. This program is ideal for those who enjoy problem-solving and have a strong foundation in mathematics and science.
Students in the Physics program will develop core skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and data analysis. Coursework often includes complex calculations, research methodologies, and the design of computer simulations to model physical phenomena, providing a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical and applied physics.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,150 | 44 | 69% | — | $28,750 |
| 2 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,664 | 54 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,215 | 75 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 4 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,045 | 23 | 68% | — | $23,000 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,647 | 51 | 91% | — | $19,200 |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,495 | 125 | 93% | — | $21,100 |
| 7 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,348 | 52 | 84% | $28,900 | $20,270 |
| 8 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,061 | 56 | 86% | — | $27,000 |
| 9 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,435 | 30 | 69% | — | $25,000 |
| 10 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,826 | 66 | 78% | — | $18,138 |
| 11 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,773 | 109 | 96% | $11,666 | $18,500 |
| 12 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,350 | 67 | 85% | — | $23,594 |
| 13 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,597 | 180 | 83% | — | $15,982 |
| 14 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,504 | 106 | 88% | — | $23,357 |
| 15 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,329 | 72 | 84% | — | $17,522 |
| 16 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,019 | 100 | 93% | — | $22,250 |
| 17 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,741 | 39 | 81% | — | $26,572 |
| 18 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,927 | 28 | 67% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,019 | 115 | 85% | — | $20,500 |
| 20 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,933 | 96 | 95% | $17,613 | $15,961 |
| 21 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,219 | 171 | 93% | — | $15,508 |
| 22 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,399 | 51 | 91% | $18,925 | $26,797 |
| 23 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,951 | 110 | 86% | — | $16,800 |
| 24 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,374 | 71 | 70% | $28,133 | $27,000 |
| 25 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,324 | 26 | 65% | — | $22,177 |
Specializations within Physics
9 of the 10 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 40.08 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- PhysicsCIP 40.080112,137 graduates / yr800 institutions53 states
- PhysicsCIP 40.0899470 graduates / yr52 institutions26 states
- Optics/CIP 40.0807
Optical Sciences 266 graduates / yr15 institutions12 states - AcousticsCIP 40.0809partial data189 graduates / yr7 institutions6 states
- Theoretical and Mathematical PhysicsCIP 40.0810partial data34 graduates / yr9 institutions7 states
- Atomic/CIP 40.0802
Molecular Physics partial data12 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states - Elementary Particle PhysicsCIP 40.0804partial data12 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
- Condensed Matter and Materials PhysicsCIP 40.0808limited data5 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Nuclear PhysicsCIP 40.0806limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 10 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Plasma and High-Temperature Physics40.0805
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 53 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2012, Physicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Physics program can pursue various careers in research, academia, and industry. The job outlook for physicists is about as fast as average, with an estimated 1,700 annual openings and a median wage of $166,290. Most positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Physics
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 40.08.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 40.08 (Physics) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 19-2012 | Physicistsprimary |
| 25-1054 | Physics Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Physics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Common questions
What can I do with a degree in Physics?+
Graduates can work in research, academia, or various industries, focusing on areas like materials science, optics, or nuclear physics.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, mathematics, critical thinking, and data analysis.
What is the job outlook for physicists?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with approximately 1,700 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
Most careers in physics require a doctoral or professional degree.
How much do Physics graduates earn?+
Physics graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,169, College Scorecard (2019); the Physicists occupation pays about $171,180 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Physics?+
Physics maps to CIP 40.08 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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