Physical Sciences

About Physical Sciences

Wondering whether Physical Sciences is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what a Physicist earns and how the role is projected to grow.

Physics, chemistry, astronomy, and earth sciences. Foundational study of matter, energy, and the natural world, with clear pathways into research and medicine. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $65,120, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 1,522 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 47,709 students complete a degree in this area every 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?

Is the Investment Worth It?

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.

How Much Do Physical Sciences Majors Earn?

Pay for Physical Sciences graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $41,992 one year after graduation, rising to $65,120 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 1,522 US institutions offering programs in this field.

What Can You Do With a Physical Sciences Degree?

Career Paths for Physical Sciences Graduates

Studying Physical Sciences does not lock you into one job title. It opens 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Physicist pays the most among them at a median $172,250 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.

Another common path leads to what an Architectural & Engineering Manager typically earns and how the field is trending.

Physical Sciences Specializations

Which specialization you pick inside Physical Sciences matters more than usual here. Physical Sciences breaks into 8 specializations, and four-year earnings swing from $60,190 to $94,684 depending on which one you choose. Each row below links to a full program profile, sorted highest-paying first. Source: College Scorecard.

The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a Materials Sciences program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.

Best Colleges for Physical Sciences

These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Physical Sciences, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for University of California-Berkeley.

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

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.

Physical Sciences Degree: Pros & Cons

Physical Sciences is a mixed case: real strengths, offset by real trade-offs, and neither side is large enough to settle the decision on its own. All 4 points below are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, and IPEDS graduate counts, with no editorial opinion added.

Physical Sciences Degree: Frequently Asked Questions