Best colleges for Physics in Washington
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Washington State University and Western Washington University award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Washington: 134, 16 and 15 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Washington colleges offer Physics and award 216 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 2 institutions, 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 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,474 | 134 | 85% | — | $17,113 |
| 2 | Whitworth University Spokane Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $65,316 | 5 | 71% | $23,510 | $23,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Washington
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public | 134 | $41,474* |
| 2 | Washington State University Pullman Public | 16 | Not reported |
| 3 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 4 | Central Washington University Ellensburg Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 5 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell Public | 7 | $41,474* |
| 7 | Whitworth University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 5 | $65,316 |
| 8 | Gonzaga University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 9 | Seattle University Seattle Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Washington colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitman College | Walla Walla | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Eastern Washington University | Cheney | Public | 2 |
| Seattle Pacific University | Seattle | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Washington
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Washington.
Which Washington colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
University of Washington-Seattle Campus (134 graduates a year), Washington State University (16 graduates a year) and Western Washington University (15 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Washington colleges offer Physics.
Which Physics program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Washington-Seattle Campus tops the list at $41,474. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Washington?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Washington is $149,060 (median $134,790), across about 450 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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