Best institutions to study Atomic/Molecular Physics
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the behavior of matter-energy phenomena at the level of atoms and molecules.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 12 Atomic/Molecular Physics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0802, a specialization of Physics (CIP 40.08), and leads most directly to the Physicists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2012).
About Atomic/Molecular Physics programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the behavior of matter-energy phenomena at the level of atoms and molecules. Includes instruction in chemical physics, atomic forces and structure, molecular orbital theory, magnetic resonance, molecular bonding, phase equilibria, quantum theory of solids, and applications to the study of specific elements and higher compounds.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Atomic/Molecular Physics program is a specialized field within the broader discipline of Physics, focusing on the scientific study of matter-energy phenomena at the atomic and molecular levels. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the fundamental behaviors and interactions of atoms and molecules, providing a strong foundation for advanced research and applications in physical sciences.
Students in this program will acquire essential skills in science, mathematics, and critical thinking. Coursework typically includes topics such as chemical physics, molecular bonding, quantum theory, and magnetic resonance, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to analyze and interpret complex physical phenomena.
Credentials awarded
What Atomic/Molecular Physics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions42%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions33%
- Bachelor's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution25%
Graduates over time
Atomic/Molecular Physics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 36 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 12 |
Top 4 institutions for Atomic/Molecular 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 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 85% | — | $54,350 |
| 2 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 76% | — | — |
| 3 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicDoctoral | 1 | 88% | — | $53,504 |
| 4 | Norfolk State University Norfolk, VAPublicMaster's | 1 | 38% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Physics field (CIP 40.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Atomic/Molecular Physics graduates come from. Each state links to all Physics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 1 | 7 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities7 / yr |
| California | 1 | 3 | San Diego State University3 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | Ohio State University - Main Campus1 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 1 | Norfolk State University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2012, Physicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Atomic/Molecular Physics program can pursue careers as physicists, natural sciences managers, or postsecondary physics teachers. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 4% and approximately 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for physicists is $166,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0802
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 |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1054 | $100,310 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~1,300 | 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 Atomic/Molecular 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
Other Physics specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Physics (CIP 40.08).
- PhysicsCIP 40.080112,137 graduates / yr800 institutions
- PhysicsCIP 40.0899470 graduates / yr52 institutions
- Optics/CIP 40.0807
Optical Sciences 266 graduates / yr15 institutions - AcousticsCIP 40.0809partial data189 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Theoretical and Mathematical PhysicsCIP 40.0810partial data34 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Elementary Particle PhysicsCIP 40.0804partial data12 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Condensed Matter and Materials PhysicsCIP 40.0808limited data5 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Nuclear PhysicsCIP 40.0806limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Atomic/Molecular Physics.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in science, mathematics, critical thinking, and data analysis.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a physicist, natural sciences manager, or physics teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a median wage of $166,290.
What is the CIP code for Atomic/Molecular Physics?+
Atomic/Molecular Physics is CIP 40.0802 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Physics (CIP 40.08). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the behavior of matter-energy phenomena at the level of atoms and molecules. Includes instruction in chemical physics, atomic forces and structure, molecular orbital theory, magnetic resonance, molecular bonding, phase equilibria, quantum theory of solids, and applications to the study of specific elements and higher compounds.
How many institutions offer Atomic/Molecular Physics programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Atomic/Molecular Physics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 12 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Physics graduates.
How much do Atomic/Molecular Physics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physicists occupation, which Atomic/Molecular Physics most directly leads to, pays a median of $172,250 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Physics field report median earnings of $54,350 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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