Physical Sciences, General programs
CIP 4001 · Physical Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
27 institutions report graduate earnings for Physical Sciences, General programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $50,266 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25× and 64% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 2 of the 27 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Villanova UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $80,302 n=21 | 90% 5yr | $24,223 | 0.30× | Above +113% | – |
| 2 | Green River CollegeWA · Associate | $77,477 n=25 | – | – | – | Above +82% | – |
| 3 | Clark CollegeWA · Associate | $76,889 n=32 | 90% 5yr | – | – | Above +80% | Clears 2/2 |
| 4 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNY · Bachelor's | $68,781 n=128 | 64% 1yr | $9,843 | 0.14× | Above +81% | – |
| 5 | Middlesex CollegeNJ · Associate | $67,944 n=127 | 42% | $7,250 | 0.11× | Above +70% | Clears 2/2 |
| 6 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $64,456 n=44 | 82% 5yr | $21,685 | 0.34× | Above +75% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | Rockland Community CollegeNY · Associate | $62,142 n=34 | – | – | – | Above +63% | – |
| 8 | Western Nevada CollegeNV · Associate | $61,575 n=18 | 70% 5yr | – | – | Above +64% | – |
| 9 | Diablo Valley CollegeCA · Associate | $59,723 n=23 | – | – | – | Above +55% | – |
| 10 | College of Staten Island CUNYNY · Associate | $59,243 n=23 | – | – | – | Above +56% | – |
| 11 | Jackson CollegeMI · Associate | $54,734 n=71 | – | $9,583 | 0.17× | Above +56% | – |
| 12 | CUNY Medgar Evers CollegeNY · Associate | $50,871 n=131 | 34% | $7,625 | 0.15× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 13 | University of New Mexico-Gallup CampusNM · Associate | $50,266 n=22 | – | $12,500 | 0.25× | Above +54% | Below 1/2 |
| 14 | University of New Mexico-Los Alamos CampusNM · Associate | $50,266 n=22 | – | $12,500 | 0.25× | Above +54% | Below 1/2 |
| 15 | University of New Mexico-Main CampusNM · Associate | $50,266 n=22 | – | $12,500 | 0.25× | Above +54% | Below 1/2 |
| 16 | University of New Mexico-Taos CampusNM · Associate | $50,266 n=22 | – | $12,500 | 0.25× | Above +54% | Below 1/2 |
| 17 | University of New Mexico-Valencia County CampusNM · Associate | $50,266 n=22 | – | $12,500 | 0.25× | Above +54% | Below 1/2 |
| 18 | CUNY LaGuardia Community CollegeNY · Associate | $47,741 n=216 | 26% | $5,654 | 0.12× | Above +26% | Below 1/2 |
| 19 | CUNY New York City College of TechnologyNY · Associate | $47,221 n=47 | 76% 5yr | $7,402 | 0.16× | Above +24% | Clears 2/2 |
| 20 | Scottsdale Community CollegeAZ · Associate | $45,882 n=20 | – | – | – | Above +25% | – |
| 21 | CUNY Queensborough Community CollegeNY · Associate | $43,018 n=71 | 52% | – | – | Above +13% | Below 1/2 |
| 22 | Richard Bland CollegeVA · Associate | $41,042 n=165 | 46% | $12,000 | 0.29× | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 23 | North Central Michigan CollegeMI · Associate | $40,596 n=24 | – | – | – | Above +16% | Below 1/2 |
| 24 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeNY · Associate | $40,438 n=103 | 21% | $8,000 | 0.20× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 25 | Tulsa Community CollegeOK · Associate | $38,358 n=21 | 71% 5yr | $10,500 | 0.27× | Above +8% | Clears 2/2 |
| 26 | CUNY Bronx Community CollegeNY · Associate | $34,499 n=40 | – | – | – | Below -9% | Below 1/2 |
| 27 | CUNY Hostos Community CollegeNY · Associate | $32,772 n=17 | – | – | – | Below -14% | – |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $50,266 | 5 |
| New York | $47,481 | 10 |
States with at least 3 reporting Physical Sciences, General programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Physical Sciences, General programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Physical Sciences, General programs in this dataset are Villanova University ($80,302), Green River College ($77,477), Clark College ($76,889). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Physical Sciences, General programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 2 of the 27 Physical Sciences, General programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
Track Physical Sciences, General programs across your peer set
We build tailored dashboards, the fields, institutions and risk signals your enrollment or program-review team cares about, kept current. Tell us what you'd want to watch.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.