Best institutions to study Theoretical and Mathematical Physics
A program that focuses on the scientific and mathematical formulation and evaluation of the physical laws governing, and models describing, matter-energy phenomena, and the analysis of related experimental designs and results.
9 U.S. institutions graduated 34 Theoretical and Mathematical Physics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0810, a specialization of Physics (CIP 40.08), and leads most directly to the Physicists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2012).
About Theoretical and Mathematical Physics programs
A program that focuses on the scientific and mathematical formulation and evaluation of the physical laws governing, and models describing, matter-energy phenomena, and the analysis of related experimental designs and results. Includes instruction in classical and quantum theory, relativity theory, field theory, mathematics of infinite series, vector and coordinate analysis, wave and particle theory, advanced applied calculus and geometry, analyses of continuum, cosmology, and statistical theory and analysis.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Theoretical and Mathematical Physics program focuses on the scientific and mathematical formulation of physical laws and models that describe matter-energy phenomena. This program is ideal for students who are passionate about understanding the fundamental principles of physics through rigorous mathematical analysis and theoretical frameworks.
Students will gain core skills in science, mathematics, and critical thinking, with coursework covering classical and quantum theory, relativity, field theory, and advanced calculus. The program emphasizes the application of mathematical concepts to analyze physical phenomena and experimental results.
Credentials awarded
What Theoretical and Mathematical Physics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree18 graduates / yr · 7 institutions53%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year12 graduates / yr · 1 institution35%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution8.8%
- Master's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.9%
Graduates over time
Theoretical and Mathematical Physics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 34 |
Top 9 institutions for Theoretical and Mathematical 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 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 15 | 85% | — |
| 2 | Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 92% | $22,858 |
| 3 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 4 | 75% | — |
| 4 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 68% | — |
| 5 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 73% | $33,454 |
| 6 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 94% | $23,803 |
| 7 | Hanover College Hanover, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 67% | $20,442 |
| 8 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 89% | $21,956 |
| 9 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicMaster's | 1 | 61% | — |
Offered in 7 states
Where Theoretical and Mathematical Physics graduates come from. Each state links to all Physics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 17 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus15 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 5 | University at Buffalo4 / yr |
| California | 1 | 5 | Harvey Mudd College5 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 3 | Michigan Technological University3 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 2 | Loyola University Chicago2 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | Hanover College1 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | Boston University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2012, Physicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this 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 annual opening of 1,700 positions and a median wage of $166,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0810
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 Theoretical and Mathematical 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
- 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 degree, a postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Master's degree.
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 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 Theoretical and Mathematical Physics?+
Theoretical and Mathematical Physics is CIP 40.0810 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 and mathematical formulation and evaluation of the physical laws governing, and models describing, matter-energy phenomena, and the analysis of related experimental designs and results. Includes instruction in classical and quantum theory, relativity theory, field theory, mathematics of infinite series, vector and coordinate analysis, wave and particle theory, advanced applied calculus and geometry, analyses of continuum, cosmology, and statistical theory and analysis.
How many institutions offer Theoretical and Mathematical Physics programs?+
9 U.S. institutions reported Theoretical and Mathematical Physics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 34 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Physics graduates.
How much do Theoretical and Mathematical Physics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Physicists occupation, which Theoretical and Mathematical 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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