Best institutions to study Soil Chemistry and Physics
A program that focuses on the application of chemical and physical principles to research and analysis concerning the nature and properties of soils and the conservation and management of soils.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 25 Soil Chemistry and Physics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.1202, a specialization of Soil Sciences (CIP 01.12), and leads most directly to the Soil and Plant Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1013).
About Soil Chemistry and Physics programs
A program that focuses on the application of chemical and physical principles to research and analysis concerning the nature and properties of soils and the conservation and management of soils. Includes instruction in soil and fluid mechanics, mineralogy, sedimentology, thermodynamics, geomorphology, environmental systems, analytical methods, and organic and inorganic chemistry.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Soil Chemistry and Physics program, part of the broader Soil Sciences field, focuses on applying chemical and physical principles to understand soil properties and management. This program is ideal for students interested in agricultural, environmental, and plant sciences, providing essential knowledge for effective soil conservation and management practices. Students in this program will explore various aspects of soil science, including fluid mechanics, mineralogy, and analytical methods. This program prepares graduates to address critical issues related to soil health and sustainability in agricultural practices.
Core coursework in this program covers topics such as soil and fluid mechanics, mineralogy, and organic and inorganic chemistry. Students will develop essential skills in critical thinking, science, and communication, equipping them to tackle real-world soil management challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Soil Chemistry and Physics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree19 graduates / yr · 1 institution76%
- Master's degree6 graduates / yr · 1 institution24%
Graduates over time
Soil Chemistry and Physics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2014 | 22 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2016 | 34 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 39 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2020 | 39 |
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 25 |
Top 1 institutions for Soil Chemistry and 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 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 74% | — | $55,322 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Soil Sciences field (CIP 01.12) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 1 states
Where Soil Chemistry and Physics graduates come from. Each state links to all Soil Sciences programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 1 | 25 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville25 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1013, Soil and Plant Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Soil Chemistry and Physics program typically pursue careers as Soil and Plant Scientists or Agricultural Sciences Teachers. The job outlook for these roles is faster than average, with an estimated growth rate of 5.4% and around 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is approximately $71,410, with a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.1202
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Soil and Plant Scientistsprimary SOC 19-1013 | $78,850 | +5.4% Faster than average | ~1,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1041 | $98,700 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~800 | 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 Soil Chemistry and 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
- Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
- Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
- Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
- Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
- Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
- Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
Tools and technology used
Other Soil Sciences specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Soil Sciences (CIP 01.12).
- Soil Science and AgronomyCIP 01.1201367 graduates / yr28 institutions
- Soil SciencesCIP 01.1299partial data52 graduates / yr6 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Soil Microbiology01.1203
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Soil Chemistry and Physics.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, communication, and problem-solving.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Soil and Plant Scientist or an Agricultural Sciences Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.4% and about 1,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Soil Chemistry and Physics?+
Soil Chemistry and Physics is CIP 01.1202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Soil Sciences (CIP 01.12). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of chemical and physical principles to research and analysis concerning the nature and properties of soils and the conservation and management of soils. Includes instruction in soil and fluid mechanics, mineralogy, sedimentology, thermodynamics, geomorphology, environmental systems, analytical methods, and organic and inorganic chemistry.
How many institutions offer Soil Chemistry and Physics programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported Soil Chemistry and Physics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 25 credentials in the year. That is 5.6% of all Soil Sciences graduates.
How much do Soil Chemistry and Physics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Soil and Plant Scientists occupation, which Soil Chemistry and Physics most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,850 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Soil Sciences field report median earnings of $55,322 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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