Engineering Physics graduates earn $89,154 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.1%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Engineering Teachers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Engineering Physics is a focused area of study within Engineering. Graduates typically earn around $89,154 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 140 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 1,047 students complete this program each year, most earning 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?
Engineering Physics graduates earn $89,154 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $69,182 and $111,349. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $57,457 climbs to $89,154 by year four.
$57,457
1 Year After Graduation
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
There is a wide earnings spread across Engineering Physics graduates. 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 141 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?
Engineering Physics connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Physicist leads at $172,250/yr median. Expand any card 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
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Engineering Physics students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a 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 +8.1% over the next decade, with Engineering Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 28,800 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.
Engineering Physics graduates earn a national median of $89,154 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $69,182 and $111,349. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Engineering Physics degree?
One year after graduation, Engineering Physics degree holders earn a median of $57,457. That climbs to $89,154 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Engineering Physics degree?
Engineering Physics degree holders pursue careers including Physicist, which pays a median of $172,250/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Engineering Physics program take?
A Engineering Physics bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Engineering Physics?
140 colleges and universities in the United States offer Engineering Physics programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Engineering Physics degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $89,154 and an average net price of roughly $22,524/yr, a Engineering Physics degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Engineering Physics and Engineering?
Engineering Physics is a focused concentration within the broader Engineering field. The Engineering major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Engineering Physics-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Engineering Physics graduates?
Employers hiring Engineering Physics graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for Engineering Physics graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree 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. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Engineering Physics graduates?
The job outlook for Engineering Physics graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +4.9% job growth over the next 10 years. Engineering Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +8.1%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Engineering Programs
Other programs in Engineering. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
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.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
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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