Engineering Physics graduates earn $89,154 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Natural Sciences Managers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Engineering Physics as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Engineering Physics is a focused area of study within Engineering. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $89,154 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 140 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 1,047 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$57,457
Median Earnings · 4yr
$89,154
Colleges Offering
140
Graduates / Year
1,047
Avg Net Price / yr
$22,524
How Much Do Engineering Physics Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Engineering Physics, a typical graduate earns $89,154, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $69,182 and $111,349, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $57,457 at one year out to $89,154 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$89,154
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$88,589
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Engineering Physics graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$69,18225th pct.
$89,154Median
$111,34975th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $89,154 against an estimated $90,096 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 140 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,047 students who complete Engineering Physics programs each year, the majority (66%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
66%
Bachelor's66%
Master's19%
Post-Bacc Cert.8%
What Can You Do With an Engineering Physics Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Engineering Physics graduates show up in 4 different occupations, and Physicist pays the most at $172,250/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.
Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Top Colleges for Engineering Physics
Not sure where to study Engineering Physics? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Engineering Physics graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Programs
Engineering Physics is not the only path through Engineering: 37 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Engineering Physics program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Engineering Physics a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $89,154 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $57,457 at graduation to $89,154 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.2% over the next decade, with Natural Sciences Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 29,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
$89,154 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $69,182 and $111,349, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Engineering Physics degree?
$57,457 in the first year out. That grows to $89,154 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Engineering Physics degree?
Physicist is one path, and it pays a median of $172,250 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Engineering Physics program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Engineering Physics bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Engineering Physics?
140 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Engineering Physics degree worth it?
$89,154 median earnings four years out against $22,524 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Engineering Physics and Engineering?
Engineering Physics is the narrower of the two: Engineering covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Engineering Physics-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Engineering Physics graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Engineering Physics graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Engineering Physics graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Engineering Physics graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +7.2% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Natural Sciences Managers are among the strongest-growth roles at +8.2%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Engineering Programs
Other programs in Engineering. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
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Highest paying majors
Job growth
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Field of study
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
Engineering
Program earnings
Applied degree
Technician careers
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
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