Best colleges for Physics in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Virginia, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and William & Mary award the most Physics degrees in Virginia: 61, 56 and 50 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 Virginia colleges offer Physics and award 362 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 3 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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,061 | 56 | 86% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | Virginia Military Institute Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,641 | 7 | 76% | — | — |
| 3 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,804 | 16 | 63% | — | $25,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Virginia
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 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public | 61 | Not reported |
| 2 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 56 | $58,061 |
| 3 | William & Mary Williamsburg Public | 50 | Not reported |
| 4 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 41 | Not reported |
| 5 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 32 | Not reported |
| 6 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 22 | Not reported |
| 7 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 8 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 16 | $39,804 |
| 9 | Radford University Radford Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Virginia Military Institute Lexington Public | 7 | $46,641 |
ShowHide the other 14 Virginia colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longwood University | Farmville | Public | 6 |
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Washington and Lee University | Lexington | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Christopher Newport University | Newport News | Public | 5 |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Bridgewater College | Bridgewater | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Hampden-Sydney College | Hampden-Sydney | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg | Public | 3 |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk | Public | 3 |
| Roanoke College | Salem | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Emory & Henry University | Emory | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Hampton University | Hampton | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Randolph-Macon College | Ashland | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Randolph College | Lynchburg | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
University of Virginia (61 graduates a year), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (56 graduates a year) and William & Mary (50 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 Virginia colleges offer Physics.
Which Physics program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University tops the list at $58,061. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Virginia is $159,320 (median $145,040), across about 940 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card