Acoustics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Acoustics is a rigorous interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the physics of sound and how acoustic waves interact with various media and environments. This program equips students with advanced analytical and experimental skills to investigate sound propagation, wave behavior, and energy dynamics across diverse scientific and engineering contexts.
- Wave theory: Explores the fundamental principles governing the generation, propagation, and interaction of waves in different physical systems.
- Acoustic wave equation: Focuses on the mathematical modeling of sound wave motion, providing the foundation for predicting wave behavior in solids, fluids, and gases.
- Energy transformation: Examines how mechanical energy is converted into sound and vice versa, with applications in transduction and signal processing.
- Vibration phenomena: Investigates oscillatory motion in mechanical systems and its role in sound production, transmission, and structural response.
- Sound reflection and transmission: Studies how acoustic waves behave at boundaries between different materials, crucial for noise control and material characterization.
- Scattering and surface wave phenomena: Analyzes how waves deviate from straight paths due to obstacles or surface irregularities, with relevance in non-destructive testing and geophysics.
- Singularity expansion theory: Applies advanced mathematical techniques to model complex wave behaviors near discontinuities or sharp geometries.
- Ducting: Explores the guided propagation of sound through confined spaces, relevant to architectural acoustics, ventilation systems, and underwater sound channels.
- Underwater acoustics: Applies acoustic principles to marine environments, supporting sonar development, oceanographic research, and underwater communication.
- Crystallography: Uses acoustic wave interactions to probe the internal structure of crystalline materials, aiding in material science and solid-state physics.
- Health diagnostics: Leverages ultrasound and other acoustic methods for medical imaging and tissue analysis, enabling non-invasive clinical assessment.
Acoustics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Acoustics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Acoustics degrees, including Physicists, Natural Sciences Managers and Physics Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 135,800 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physicists 19-2012 | $166,290 | $80,020 - $239,200 | 21,340 | $79.95 |
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1054 | $97,360 | $54,880 - $169,740 | 13,590 | N/A |
Acoustics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $81,030 in Louisiana to $171,063 in California—a 111% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 135,800 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Acoustics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 6 institutions offering Acoustics programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Acoustics is found at New York University (NYU) (97 graduates), Columbia College Chicago (CCC) (51 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, World Campus (16 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (9 graduates), and Florida Atlantic University (FAU) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 175 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
97 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
16 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Acoustics programs
How much can I earn with a Acoustics degree?
Salaries for Acoustics graduates vary by role and location. Physicists earn a median of $166,290 annually, while Natural Sciences Managers earn around $161,180. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $171,063 compared to $81,030 in Louisiana. Approximately 135,800 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Acoustics programs?
Currently 6 accredited institutions offer Acoustics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include New York University (NYU) (97 graduates), Columbia College Chicago (CCC) (51 graduates), and Pennsylvania State University, World Campus (16 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Acoustics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 27 in 2010 to 175 in 2023-24. This represents a 548% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Acoustics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Physicists, Natural Sciences Managers, and Physics Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 135,800 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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