Best institutions to study Elementary Particle Physics
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the basic constituents of sub-atomic matter and energy, and the forces governing fundamental processes.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 12 Elementary Particle Physics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0804, a specialization of Physics (CIP 40.08), and leads most directly to the Physicists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2012).
About Elementary Particle Physics programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the basic constituents of sub-atomic matter and energy, and the forces governing fundamental processes. Includes instruction in quantum theory, field theory, single-particle systems, perturbation and scattering theory, matter-radiation interaction, symmetry, quarks, capture, Schroedinger mechanics, methods for detecting particle emission and absorption, and research equipment operation and maintenance.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Elementary Particle Physics program focuses on the scientific study of the fundamental constituents of sub-atomic matter and energy, along with the forces that govern these processes. This program is designed for students interested in advancing their understanding of quantum theory, field theory, and various methods of particle detection and analysis.
Students will gain core skills in science, mathematics, and critical thinking, alongside knowledge in physics, engineering, and technology. Coursework includes instruction in quantum mechanics, perturbation theory, and the operation of research equipment.
Credentials awarded
What Elementary Particle Physics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Postbaccalaureate certificate11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions92%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution8.3%
Graduates over time
Elementary Particle Physics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 12 |
Top 3 institutions for Elementary Particle 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 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 81% | — | $33,400 |
| 2 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 76% | — | $44,562 |
| 3 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicDoctoral | 1 | 75% | — | — |
* 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 3 states
Where Elementary Particle Physics graduates come from. Each state links to all Physics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 1 | 7 | Michigan State University7 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 4 | Stony Brook University4 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 1 | Iowa State University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2012, Physicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Elementary Particle Physics program typically pursue careers as physicists, with additional opportunities as natural sciences managers or postsecondary physics teachers. 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, requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0804
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 Elementary Particle 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
- Atomic/CIP 40.0802
Molecular Physics partial data12 graduates / yr4 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 Postbaccalaureate certificate or a Doctor's degree in research/scholarship.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and data analysis.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a physicist, natural sciences manager, or a postsecondary physics teacher.
What is the job outlook for physicists?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 1,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Elementary Particle Physics?+
Elementary Particle Physics is CIP 40.0804 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 basic constituents of sub-atomic matter and energy, and the forces governing fundamental processes. Includes instruction in quantum theory, field theory, single-particle systems, perturbation and scattering theory, matter-radiation interaction, symmetry, quarks, capture, Schroedinger mechanics, methods for detecting particle emission and absorption, and research equipment operation and maintenance.
How many institutions offer Elementary Particle Physics programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Elementary Particle Physics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 12 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Physics graduates.
How much do Elementary Particle Physics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physicists occupation, which Elementary Particle 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 $44,562 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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