STEM College Major

Physical Sciences

Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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About Physical Sciences

Physics, chemistry, astronomy, and earth sciences — foundational study of matter, energy, and the natural world, with clear pathways into research and medicine. Graduates earn a national median of $65,120 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,522 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 47,709 students complete degrees in this area each year.

Median Earnings · 1yr
$41,992
Median Earnings · 4yr
$65,120
Colleges Offering
1,522
Graduates / Year
47,709
Specializations
9
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,818

Is a Physical Sciences Degree Right for You?

$65,120 Median earnings · 4yr
+4.0% 10yr job growth
9 Specializations

Is the Investment Worth It?

Breaks even in ~2 yrs vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Annual earnings
$65,120/yr
Total 4yr cost
$71,272

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $65,120 against an estimated $71,272 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.

How Much Do Physical Sciences Majors Earn?

Physical Sciences graduates start at a median $41,992 one year out and reach $65,120 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,522 US institutions offering programs in this field.

$41,992
1 Year After Graduation

Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.

$65,120
4-Year National Median

Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.

$66,922
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.

Earnings Range Across Specializations

Not all Physical Sciences specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $94,684/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $60,190/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.

$60,190 Lowest
$65,120 Median
$94,684 Highest

What Can You Do With a Physical Sciences Degree?

Career Paths for Physical Sciences Graduates

Physical Sciences connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Physicist leads in median earnings at $172,250/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.

Physicist Doctoral or professional degree
$172,250 ↗ +4.0% growth
Architectural & Engineering Manager Bachelor's degree
$171,270 ↗ +3.8% growth
Natural Sciences Managers Bachelor's degree
$167,220 ↗ +3.7% growth
Computer & Information Research Scientist Master's degree
$140,300 ↗ +19.7% growth
Data Scientist Bachelor's degree
$120,230 ↗ +33.5% growth
Materials Scientist Bachelor's degree
$117,790 ↗ +4.9% growth
Engineering Teachers Doctoral or professional degree
$109,270 ↗ +8.1% growth
Earth Science Professors Doctoral or professional degree
$103,170 ↗ +2.6% growth

Physical Sciences Specializations

Physical Sciences breaks into 8 specializations. Earnings range widely from $60,190 to $94,684 at the four-year mark. Each row links to a dedicated program profile. Sorted highest-paying first, based on national College Scorecard data.

Specialization Colleges Grads/yr Earnings · 4yr
Materials Sciences 68 679 $94,684
Physics 955 13,306 $76,786
Physical Sciences 214 2,747 $68,944
Astronomy 161 1,573 $68,333
Chemistry 1,380 19,976 $65,120
Physical Sciences 48 404 $63,096
Atmospheric Sciences 114 1,288 $60,997
Geosciences 592 7,691 $60,190

Best Colleges for Physical Sciences

The 20 colleges below are ranked by Physical Sciences graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

1
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public
Acceptance 11%
Net price/yr $13,481
Earnings 10yr $92,446
Grad rate 74%
2
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public
Acceptance 26.7%
Net price/yr $12,470
Earnings 10yr $84,943
Grad rate 86%
3
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public
Acceptance 39.2%
Net price/yr $14,091
Earnings 10yr $78,466
Grad rate 73%
4
University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA · Public
Acceptance 33%
Net price/yr $16,109
Earnings 10yr $74,915
Grad rate 65%
5
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public
Acceptance 60.6%
Net price/yr $32,875
Earnings 10yr $63,435
Grad rate 61%
6
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public
Acceptance 45.2%
Net price/yr $17,354
Earnings 10yr $73,792
Grad rate 75%
7
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public
Acceptance 86.1%
Net price/yr $16,674
Earnings 10yr $59,979
Grad rate 58%
8
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Acceptance 15.6%
Net price/yr $13,138
Earnings 10yr $83,648
Grad rate 90%
9
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance 9%
Net price/yr $12,548
Earnings 10yr $82,511
Grad rate 82%
10
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public
Acceptance 78.1%
Net price/yr $25,346
Earnings 10yr $69,738
Grad rate 59%
11
Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public
Acceptance 57.4%
Net price/yr $21,315
Earnings 10yr $72,097
Grad rate 80%
12
The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public
Acceptance 26.6%
Net price/yr $19,857
Earnings 10yr $75,121
Grad rate 81%
13
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public
Acceptance 42.4%
Net price/yr $14,355
Earnings 10yr $81,054
Grad rate 82%
14
University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public
Acceptance 24.2%
Net price/yr $6,541
Earnings 10yr $71,588
Grad rate 83%
15
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public
Acceptance 60.6%
Net price/yr $17,339
Earnings 10yr $60,409
Grad rate 66%
16
University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance 4.5%
Net price/yr $14,860
Earnings 10yr $91,885
Grad rate 91%
17
University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA · Public
Acceptance 28.6%
Net price/yr $14,251
Earnings 10yr $80,735
Grad rate 75%
18
New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance 9.2%
Net price/yr $37,050
Earnings 10yr $82,509
Grad rate 76%
19
University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA · Public
Acceptance 65.8%
Net price/yr $17,890
Earnings 10yr $68,396
Grad rate 69%
20
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit
Acceptance 6.4%
Net price/yr $18,809
Earnings 10yr $87,555
Grad rate 87%
View all colleges

Ranked by number of Physical Sciences graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →

How Physical Sciences Compares to Similar Majors

Major
$30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k $100k
Engineering Tech
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Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Physical Sciences degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Physical Sciences degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

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College Cost Calculator

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Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

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College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

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Physical Sciences Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Physical Sciences tells a mixed story. Measurable strengths offset by real trade-offs. All 4 points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, and IPEDS graduate counts. No editorial opinion applied.

PROS
  • Above-average earnings Four-year median of $65,120 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science fields.
  • Growing field Top career paths show up to +33.5% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Data Scientist.
  • Wide availability Offered at 1,522 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
  • High-earning specializations available Top specializations report median earnings of $94,684, creating strong upside for students who choose a high-demand track.

Physical Sciences Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Physical Sciences graduates earn?
Physical Sciences graduates earn a national median of $65,120 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Physical Sciences degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Physical Sciences degree holders is $41,992 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Physical Sciences degree?
Physical Sciences degree holders work in a range of careers. Physicist is one of the top roles by median wage ($172,250/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Physical Sciences?
1,522 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Physical Sciences, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Physical Sciences degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $65,120 and an average net price of roughly $17,818/yr across institutions offering this major, a Physical Sciences degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Physical Sciences degree?
A bachelor's degree in Physical Sciences typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Physical Sciences graduates?
Employers hiring Physical Sciences graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, data interpretation, and problem-solving. Strong foundational skills in math, science, or programming are expected, and employers often prioritize candidates with internship or research experience.
Is graduate school worth it for Physical Sciences graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles and often adds $15,000–$40,000 to long-term earning potential, depending on specialization. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Physical Sciences graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Physical Sciences graduates is strong, with an average of +10.0% projected growth across related occupations. Data Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +33.5%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.

Related STEM Majors

Other majors in the STEM category. Compare earnings, specializations, and career paths before deciding where to focus your studies.

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Rankings for Physical Sciences Colleges

The most affordable and highest-earning colleges for Physical Sciences, ranked from the federal data.

  • Most Affordable Physical Sciences Colleges

    The most affordable colleges for Physical Sciences, ranked by net price with earnings and outcomes shown.

    • $2,984 Lowest Net
    • $20,247 Avg Net
    • 94 UCD Score
    • $110,066 Top Earn

  • Highest-Earning Physical Sciences Colleges

    The highest-earning colleges for Physical Sciences, ranked by graduate salary 10 years after entry.

    • $143,372 Top Earn
    • $65,020 Avg Earn
    • 94 UCD Score
    • 1,073 Colleges

Related Guides

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  • D

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  • J

    Job Growth Projections: How to Use BLS Data

    Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.

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