STEM Specialization

Physics

Physics graduates earn $76,786 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.

Explore Program

About Physics

This page covers 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 Physical Sciences and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Physics is a focused area of study within Physical Sciences. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $76,786 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 955 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 13,306 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: $46,367
Median Earnings · 4yr: $76,786
Colleges Offering: 955
Graduates / Year: 13,306
Avg Net Price / yr: $18,275

How Much Do Physics Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Physics, a typical graduate earns $76,786, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $51,777 and $102,948, 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 $46,367 at one year out to $76,786 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$46,367

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$76,786

4-Year National Median

Above the national median for college graduates.

$78,216

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

Not every 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.

$51,777 25th pct.

$76,786 Median

$102,948 75th pct.

Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $76,786 against an estimated $73,100 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 792 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 13,306 students who complete Physics programs each year, the majority (58%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

58%

Bachelor's 58%

Master's 16%

Doctorate 15%

What Can You Do With a Physics Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. 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.

The best-paid of these is what a Physicist earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +7.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Physicist

$172,250

$112K $223K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,300 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

Science Mathematics Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

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.

↗ +8.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Natural Sciences Managers

$167,220

$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 9,200 openings/yr 109K employed nationally

Science Reading Comprehension Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

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.

↗ +2.4% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Physics Teachers

$100,310

$74K $133K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,100 openings/yr 13K employed nationally

Instructing Science Speaking Reading Comprehension Learning Strategies

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.

↘ -0.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Secondary School Teacher

$72,040

$60K $93K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 63,500 openings/yr 1.1M employed nationally

Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Learning Strategies Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.

Top Colleges for Physics

Not sure where to study 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 score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at University of California-Santa Barbara, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA · Public	244	33%	$16,109	$74,915
2	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public	203	86.1%	$16,674	$59,979
3	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public	173	39.2%	$14,091	$78,466
4	New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit	171	9.2%	$37,050	$82,509
5	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public	167	11%	$13,481	$92,446
6	University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public	149	78.1%	$25,346	$69,738
7	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit	131	4.6%	$20,111	$143,372
8	University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	125	4.5%	$14,860	$91,885
9	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public	118	60.6%	$17,339	$60,409
10	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public	118	15.6%	$13,138	$83,648
11	Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit	114	3.7%	$19,066	$101,817
12	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public	112	9%	$12,548	$82,511
13	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD · Public	112	44.8%	$15,678	$82,860
14	University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA · Public	112	28.6%	$14,251	$80,735
15	Stanford University Stanford, CA · Nonprofit	111	3.6%	$13,807	$124,080
16	University of Rochester Rochester, NY · Nonprofit	111	40.1%	$29,278	$79,042
17	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public	110	42.4%	$14,355	$81,054
18	Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY · Public	110	49%	$18,784	$74,502
19	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public	108	26.6%	$19,857	$75,121
20	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public	101	84.8%	$19,680	$67,253

View all colleges

Ranked by Physics graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 Physics program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

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

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

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

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.

Physics Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Physics a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS

Strong median salary Graduates earn $76,786 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $46,367 at graduation to $76,786 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +8.2% over the next decade, with Natural Sciences Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 75,100 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Advanced degree often expected Top 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.
Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.

Physics Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Physics graduates earn?

$76,786 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $51,777 and $102,948, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the starting salary for a Physics degree?

$46,367 in the first year out. That grows to $76,786 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 a 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 a Physics program take?

Four years of full-time study for a 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 Physics?

955 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 a Physics degree worth it?

$76,786 median earnings four years out against $18,275 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 Physics and Physical Sciences?

Physics is the narrower of the two: Physical Sciences covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to 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 Physics graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring 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 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 Physics graduates?

Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +4.4% 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.