Best institutions to study Physics
Any instructional program in physics not listed above.
52 U.S. institutions graduated 470 Physics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0899, a specialization of Physics (CIP 40.08), and leads most directly to the Physicists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2012).
About Physics programs
Any instructional program in physics not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Physics program, classified under Physical Sciences, encompasses a variety of instructional courses in physics not specifically listed elsewhere. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the fundamental principles of the universe, from the smallest particles to the largest cosmic structures. It is designed for those who are curious about how things work and want to engage in rigorous scientific inquiry.
Students in the Physics program will develop core skills in science, mathematics, and critical thinking. Coursework typically includes advanced topics in physics, data analysis, and computer simulations, preparing graduates to tackle complex problems and contribute to scientific advancements.
Credentials awarded
What Physics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree210 graduates / yr · 32 institutions45%
- Master's degree180 graduates / yr · 19 institutions38%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship69 graduates / yr · 12 institutions15%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate9 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.9%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Physics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 353 |
| 2013 | 440 |
| 2014 | 405 |
| 2015 | 428 |
| 2016 | 445 |
| 2017 | 388 |
| 2018 | 408 |
| 2019 | 444 |
| 2020 | 458 |
| 2021 | 458 |
| 2022 | 486 |
| 2023 | 478 |
| 2024 | 478 |
| 2025 | 470 |
Top 50 institutions for 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 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 65 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 2 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 42 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 3 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 38 | 86% | — | $48,951 |
| 4 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 34 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 5 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 31 | 87% | — | $43,144 |
| 6 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 24 | 81% | $13,712 | $68,664 |
| 7 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 21 | 86% | — | — |
| 8 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicDoctoralMaster's | 20 | 84% | — | $35,689 |
| 9 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 68% | $38,461 | — |
| 10 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 15 | 93% | — | $53,019 |
| 11 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 13 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 12 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 12 | 97% | $22,055 | $68,215 |
| 13 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, ARPublicBachelor's | 11 | 49% | — | $58,870 |
| 14 | Berry College Mount Berry, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 69% | $20,108 | — |
| 15 | Rice University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 95% | $13,264 | — |
| 16 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 70% | — | — |
| 17 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicMaster's | 7 | 69% | — | — |
| 18 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 79% | $27,724 | — |
| 19 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 55% | — | $56,018 |
| 20 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 5 | 86% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 5 | 73% | — | — |
| 22 | Christopher Newport University Newport News, VAPublicMaster's | 5 | 72% | — | — |
| 23 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 5 | 63% | — | $39,804 |
| 24 | Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 92% | $22,858 | — |
| 25 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 84% | $28,900 | $60,348 |
| 26 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 27 | Whitworth University Spokane, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 71% | $23,510 | $65,316 |
| 28 | University of Puerto Rico - Humacao Humacao, PRPublicBachelor's | 4 | 47% | — | — |
| 29 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicMaster's | 3 | 69% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 49% | — | — |
| 31 | Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 53% | $19,485 | — |
| 32 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor's | 2 | 83% | — | $32,341 |
| 33 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 67% | $38,899 | — |
| 34 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 39% | — | — |
| 35 | St Bonaventure University Saint Bonaventure, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 67% | $23,352 | — |
| 36 | Carson - Newman University Jefferson City, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 53% | $19,537 | — |
| 37 | California State University - Channel Islands Camarillo, CAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 51% | — | — |
| 38 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 54% | — | — |
| 39 | Alabama A & M University Normal, ALPublicDoctoral | 1 | 24% | — | — |
| 40 | Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, ARPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 61% | $21,322 | — |
| 41 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicMaster's | 1 | 69% | — | $42,057 |
| 42 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MAPublicMaster's | 1 | 65% | — | $48,324 |
| 43 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicDoctoral | 1 | 58% | — | — |
| 44 | College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 77% | $22,583 | — |
| 45 | Saint Johns University Collegeville, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 75% | $19,900 | — |
| 46 | Rutgers University - Newark Newark, NJPublicBachelor's | 1 | 64% | — | $35,689 |
| 47 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 48 | John Carroll University University Heights, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 79% | $25,705 | — |
| 49 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicBachelor's | 1 | 42% | — | — |
| 50 | Pacific University Forest Grove, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 67% | $30,571 | — |
* 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 26 states & territories
Where Physics graduates come from. Each state links to all Physics programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2012, Physicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Physics program can pursue careers as physicists, 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. Most positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0899
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 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
- 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
- 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 gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in science, mathematics, critical thinking, and data analysis.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Physics?+
You can become a physicist, natural sciences manager, or a physics teacher at the postsecondary level.
What is the job outlook for physicists?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 1,700 annual openings expected.
What is the CIP code for Physics?+
Physics is CIP 40.0899 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Physics (CIP 40.08). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in physics not listed above.
How many institutions offer Physics programs?+
52 U.S. institutions reported Physics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states & territories, awarding 470 credentials in the year. That is 3.6% of all Physics graduates.
How much do Physics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physicists occupation, which 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 $48,951 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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