Best institutions to study Optics/Optical Sciences
A program that focuses on the scientific study of light energy, including its structure, properties and behavior under different conditions.
15 U.S. institutions graduated 266 Optics/Optical Sciences students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0807, a specialization of Physics (CIP 40.08), and leads most directly to the Physicists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2012).
About Optics/Optical Sciences programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of light energy, including its structure, properties and behavior under different conditions. Includes instruction in wave theory, wave mechanics, electromagnetic theory, physical optics, geometric optics, quantum theory of light, photon detecting, laser theory, wall and beam properties, chaotic light, non-linear optics, harmonic generation, optical systems theory, and applications to engineering problems.
See also: 14.1003 - Laser and Optical Engineering.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Optics/Optical Sciences program, a subset of Physics, delves into the scientific study of light energy, exploring its structure, properties, and behavior under various conditions. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding complex phenomena related to light and its applications in technology and engineering. Students will engage in a rigorous curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications.
Core coursework in this program includes wave theory, electromagnetic theory, and quantum theory of light. Students will develop essential skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and data analysis, equipping them to tackle complex problems in the field of optics and optical sciences.
Credentials awarded
What Optics/Optical Sciences graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree138 graduates / yr · 8 institutions52%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship67 graduates / yr · 7 institutions25%
- Bachelor's degree52 graduates / yr · 5 institutions20%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.8%
Graduates over time
Optics/Optical Sciences completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 200 |
| 2013 | 183 |
| 2014 | 197 |
| 2015 | 215 |
| 2016 | 236 |
| 2017 | 174 |
| 2018 | 230 |
| 2019 | 213 |
| 2020 | 189 |
| 2021 | 196 |
| 2022 | 220 |
| 2023 | 275 |
| 2024 | 248 |
| 2025 | 266 |
Top 15 institutions for Optics/Optical Sciences, 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 Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 101 | 68% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 75 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 3 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 33 | 70% | $28,133 | $48,374 |
| 4 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 55% | — | — |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 69% | — | $70,150 |
| 6 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 53% | — | — |
| 7 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicMaster's | 5 | 57% | — | — |
| 8 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 9 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 10 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 3 | 88% | — | $53,504 |
| 11 | Delaware State University Dover, DEPublicDoctoral | 1 | 39% | — | — |
| 12 | Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management Wright-Patterson AFB, OHPublicMaster's | 1 | — | — | — |
| 13 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 85% | — | — |
| 14 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicDoctoral | 1 | 87% | — | — |
| 15 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 59% | — | — |
* 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 12 states
Where Optics/Optical Sciences graduates come from. Each state links to all Physics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 2 | 108 | University of Rochester75 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 101 | University of Arizona101 / yr |
| North Carolina | 2 | 19 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte16 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 17 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus17 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 5 | Bridgewater State University5 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 5 | Montana State University5 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 4 | Ohio State University - Main Campus3 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 3 | Michigan Technological University3 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 1 | Delaware State University1 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus1 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 1 | Clemson University1 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | Utah State University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2012, Physicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Optics/Optical Sciences program can pursue careers as physicists, natural sciences managers, or postsecondary physics teachers. The job outlook for related occupations 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 40.0807
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 Optics/Optical Sciences 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
- 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
- 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, as well as a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
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 1,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Optics/Optical Sciences?+
Optics/Optical Sciences is CIP 40.0807 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 light energy, including its structure, properties and behavior under different conditions. Includes instruction in wave theory, wave mechanics, electromagnetic theory, physical optics, geometric optics, quantum theory of light, photon detecting, laser theory, wall and beam properties, chaotic light, non-linear optics, harmonic generation, optical systems theory, and applications to engineering problems.
How many institutions offer Optics/Optical Sciences programs?+
15 U.S. institutions reported Optics/Optical Sciences graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states, awarding 266 credentials in the year. That is 2.0% of all Physics graduates.
How much do Optics/Optical Sciences graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physicists occupation, which Optics/Optical Sciences 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 $53,504 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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