Physics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Physics explores the fundamental laws governing matter, energy, space, and time, serving as the foundation for understanding the natural universe. This program equips students with analytical, mathematical, and experimental skills to investigate phenomena ranging from subatomic particles to cosmic structures.
- Classical Mechanics: The study of motion, forces, and energy in macroscopic systems, including Newtonian dynamics and conservation laws.
- Electromagnetism: Examination of electric and magnetic fields, their interactions, and the behavior of charged particles in various environments.
- Quantum Mechanics: A framework for understanding atomic and subatomic systems, including wave-particle duality, superposition, and quantum states.
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: Analysis of heat, temperature, entropy, and the statistical behavior of large ensembles of particles.
- Relativity: Exploration of space-time relationships, including special relativity’s implications for high-speed motion and general relativity’s description of gravity.
- Mathematical Physics: Application of advanced mathematical techniques to model and solve complex physical problems.
- Experimental Physics: Hands-on training in designing, conducting, and interpreting laboratory experiments to test theoretical predictions.
- Computational Physics: Use of numerical methods and simulations to analyze physical systems that are analytically intractable.
Physics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Physics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Physics 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 |
Physics 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 Physics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 54 institutions offering Physics 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 Physics is found at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (44 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (43 graduates), Duke University (32 graduates), Rutgers University, New Brunswick (27 graduates), and Stanford University (27 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 482 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
44 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
43 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Stanford University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Southern Arkansas University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Magnolia, Arkansas | Public | saumag.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| California State University (CSUSM) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | San Marcos, California | Public | csusm.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Prescott, Arizona | Private | prescott.erau.edu |
| California State University (CSUCI) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Camarillo, California | Public | csuci.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| Whitworth University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Spokane, Washington | Private | whitworth.edu |
| Berry College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Mount Berry, Georgia | Private | berry.edu |
| Colorado School of Mines |
Master's
|
7 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| Saint Johns University (SJU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Collegeville, Minnesota | Private | csbsju.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| Rice University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| Bridgewater College (BC) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Bridgewater, Virginia | Private | bridgewater.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
6 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Master's
|
6 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRH) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Humacao, Puerto Rico | Public | upr.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Troy, New York | Private | rpi.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| Harvey Mudd College (HMC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Claremont, California | Private | hmc.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Pacific University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Forest Grove, Oregon | Private | pacificu.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
| Alabama A & M University (AAMU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Normal, Alabama | Public | aamu.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Master's
|
2 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| California State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | daytonabeach.erau.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Christopher Newport University (CNU) |
Master's
|
2 | Newport News, Virginia | Public | cnu.edu |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | commonwealthu.edu |
| Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Private | obu.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) |
Master's
|
1 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | wpi.edu |
| College of Saint Benedict (CSB) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Joseph, Minnesota | Private | csbsju.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | newark.rutgers.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
|
1 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| John Carroll University (JCU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | University Heights, Ohio | Private | jcu.edu |
| Wright State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | wright.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Physics programs
How much can I earn with a Physics degree?
Salaries for Physics 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 Physics programs?
Currently 54 accredited institutions offer Physics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (44 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (43 graduates), and Duke University (32 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 Physics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 377 in 2010 to 482 in 2023-24. This represents a 28% 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 Physics 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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