Best colleges for Physics in Wisconsin
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Carthage College award the most Physics degrees in Wisconsin: 102, 20 and 19 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 Wisconsin colleges offer Physics and award 225 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 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,878 | 102 | 90% | — | $20,500 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $62,196 | 8 | 57% | — | $30,000 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $54,428 | 11 | 71% | — | $26,292 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin-Madison Madison Public | 102 | $36,878 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 3 | Carthage College Kenosha Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse Public | 11 | $54,428 |
| 6 | Beloit College Beloit Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 7 | Lawrence University Appleton Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls Public | 8 | $62,196 |
| 9 | Marquette University Milwaukee Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh Public | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 6 Wisconsin colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Norbert College | De Pere | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | Milwaukee | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Whitewater | Public | 3 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Stevens Point | Public | 3 |
| Edgewood University | Madison | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | Kenosha | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Wisconsin
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in Wisconsin.
Which Wisconsin colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
University of Wisconsin-Madison (102 graduates a year), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (20 graduates a year) and Carthage College (19 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees in Wisconsin, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 Wisconsin colleges offer Physics.
Which Physics program in Wisconsin has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Wisconsin-Madison tops the list at $36,878. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Wisconsin?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Wisconsin is $181,180 (median $173,120), across about 180 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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