Best institutions to study Nuclear Physics
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the properties and behavior of atomic nuclei.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 4 Nuclear Physics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0806, a specialization of Physics (CIP 40.08), and leads most directly to the Physicists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2012).
About Nuclear Physics programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the properties and behavior of atomic nuclei. Includes instruction in nuclear reaction theory, quantum mechanics, energy conservation, nuclear fission and fusion, strong and weak forces, nuclear modeling, nuclear decay, nucleon scattering, pairing, photon and electron reactions, the physics of nuclear effects, statistical methods, and research equipment operation and maintenance.
See also: 14.2301 - Nuclear Engineering.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Nuclear Physics program, a specialized branch within the broader field of Physics, focuses on the scientific study of atomic nuclei and their properties. This program is designed for students interested in understanding complex nuclear interactions, including fission and fusion processes, and the fundamental forces that govern atomic behavior.
Students in this program will gain core skills in science, mathematics, and critical thinking, along with knowledge in physics, engineering, and technology. Coursework typically includes instruction in nuclear reaction theory, quantum mechanics, and statistical methods, equipping students with the tools to analyze and model nuclear phenomena.
Credentials awarded
What Nuclear Physics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 1 institution100%
Graduates over time
Nuclear Physics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
Top 1 institutions for Nuclear 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 75% | — |
Offered in 1 states
Where Nuclear Physics graduates come from. Each state links to all Physics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 1 | 4 | Iowa State University4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2012, Physicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Nuclear Physics program can pursue careers as physicists, with additional opportunities in natural sciences management and postsecondary education. 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, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0806
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 Nuclear 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 - Elementary Particle PhysicsCIP 40.0804partial data12 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Condensed Matter and Materials PhysicsCIP 40.0808limited data5 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 is the focus of the Nuclear Physics program?+
The program focuses on the scientific study of atomic nuclei, including their properties and behaviors.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, mathematics, critical thinking, and data analysis.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as physicists, natural sciences managers, or physics teachers.
What is the job outlook for physicists?+
The job outlook for physicists is about as fast as average, with 1,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Nuclear Physics?+
Nuclear Physics is CIP 40.0806 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 properties and behavior of atomic nuclei. Includes instruction in nuclear reaction theory, quantum mechanics, energy conservation, nuclear fission and fusion, strong and weak forces, nuclear modeling, nuclear decay, nucleon scattering, pairing, photon and electron reactions, the physics of nuclear effects, statistical methods, and research equipment operation and maintenance.
How many institutions offer Nuclear Physics programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported Nuclear Physics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 4 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Physics graduates.
How much do Nuclear Physics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physicists occupation, which Nuclear Physics most directly leads to, pays a median of $172,250 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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