Best colleges for Physics in Texas
Ranked by graduate earnings
Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University - College Station and Texas State University are the top bachelor's Physics programs in Texas by graduate earnings. Texas Tech University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $57,435, College Scorecard. The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University - College Station and Rice University award the most Physics degrees in Texas: 122, 72 and 64 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 43 Texas colleges offer Physics and award 703 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Physics program focuses on the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. It encompasses various specializations, including Atomic/Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Optics/Optical Sciences, making it suitable…
Top 6 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas Tech University Lubbock Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,435 | 30 | 69% | — | $25,000 |
| 2 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,329 | 72 | 84% | — | $17,522 |
| 3 | Texas State University San Marcos Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,737 | 27 | 55% | — | $23,500 |
| 4 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,832 | 122 | 89% | — | $20,333 |
| 5 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,328 | 33 | 53% | — | $27,508 |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,611 | 32 | 54% | — | $22,314 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Texas
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin Public | 122 | $36,832 |
| 2 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station Public | 72 | $53,329 |
| 3 | Rice University Houston Private not-for-profit | 64 | Not reported |
| 4 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson Public | 54 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Houston Houston Public | 46 | Not reported |
| 6 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio Public | 33 | $36,328 |
| 7 | University of North Texas Denton Public | 32 | Not reported |
| 8 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington Public | 32 | $34,611 |
| 9 | Texas Tech University Lubbock Public | 30 | $57,435 |
| 10 | East Texas A&M University Commerce Public | 27 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 33 Texas colleges offering Physics
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Texas
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Texas.
Which Texas colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
The University of Texas at Austin (122 graduates a year), Texas A&M University - College Station (72 graduates a year) and Rice University (64 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees in Texas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 43 Texas colleges offer Physics.
What is the best college for Physics in Texas?+
By graduate earnings, Texas Tech University leads among bachelor's Physics programs in Texas, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $57,435, College Scorecard. Texas A&M University - College Station and Texas State University follow. By degrees awarded, The University of Texas at Austin is the largest, with 122 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Physics program in Texas has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Texas Tech University tops the list at $57,435. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Texas?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Texas is $176,530 (median $184,040), across about 580 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Physics program?+
The Physics program focuses on the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. It encompasses various specializations, including Atomic/Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Optics/Optical Sciences, making it suitable…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop science, reading comprehension, mathematics, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Physicists?+
The national job outlook is about +4.0% growth with around 1,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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.
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