Physics programs
CIP 4008 · Physical Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
109 institutions report graduate earnings for Physics programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $81,696 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27× and 88% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 1 of the 123 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.
National ranking
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of ArizonaAZ · Master's | $179,750 n=16 | 94% 5yr | — | — | Above +193% | Clears 2/2 |
| 2 | University of California-Los AngelesCA · Doctoral | $178,137 n=23 | 100% 1yr | — | — | Above +137% | — |
| 3 | University of California-BerkeleyCA · Doctoral | $177,589 n=20 | 90% 1yr | — | — | Above +136% | — |
| 4 | University of California-San DiegoCA · Doctoral | $166,997 n=17 | 86% 1yr | — | — | Above +122% | Clears 2/2 |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Doctoral | $163,024 n=19 | 100% 1yr | — | — | Above +138% | — |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Master's | $150,865 n=19 | 100% 1yr | — | — | Above +135% | — |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · Master's | $150,865 n=19 | 100% 1yr | — | — | Above +135% | — |
| 8 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Doctoral | $141,253 n=16 | 100% 1yr | — | — | Above +124% | — |
| 9 | University of California-DavisCA · Doctoral | $141,034 n=22 | — | — | — | Above +87% | — |
| 10 | Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Doctoral | $132,984 n=29 | 100% 5yr | — | — | Above +112% | Clears 2/2 |
| 11 | Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMA · Bachelor's | $131,025 n=28 | 85% 5yr | $18,500 | 0.14× | Above +201% | Clears 2/2 |
| 12 | University of RochesterNY · Master's | $127,533 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +80% | — |
| 13 | University of OregonOR · Master's | $124,295 n=30 | 100% 5yr | $26,011 | 0.21× | Above +100% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | Cornell UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $118,649 n=24 | 69% 1yr | $15,961 | 0.14× | Above +212% | — |
| 15 | Appalachian State UniversityNC · Master's | $111,173 n=20 | 95% 1yr | — | — | Above +89% | — |
| 16 | University of Notre DameIN · Bachelor's | $110,029 n=16 | 94% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.20× | Above +194% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Master's | $106,130 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +69% | — |
| 18 | University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC · Bachelor's | $103,477 n=26 | 75% 1yr | $17,150 | 0.17× | Above +202% | — |
| 19 | Oregon State UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $103,167 n=21 | — | $24,250 | 0.23× | Above +181% | — |
| 20 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusOR · Bachelor's | $103,167 n=21 | — | $24,250 | 0.23× | Above +181% | — |
| 21 | Whitworth UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $99,842 n=20 | 84% 1yr | $19,500 | 0.20× | Above +134% | — |
| 22 | College of the Holy CrossMA · Bachelor's | $99,165 n=18 | — | $21,862 | 0.22× | Above +128% | — |
| 23 | Le Moyne CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $99,009 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +160% | — |
| 24 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCA · Bachelor's | $96,805 n=26 | 95% 5yr | $23,886 | 0.25× | Above +152% | Clears 2/2 |
| 25 | University of California-IrvineCA · Bachelor's | $96,215 n=29 | 72% 1yr | $13,590 | 0.14× | Above +150% | — |
| 26 | George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $96,138 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +153% | — |
| 27 | University of California-BerkeleyCA · Bachelor's | $96,043 n=50 | 66% 1yr | $15,000 | 0.16× | Above +150% | Clears 2/2 |
| 28 | University of Massachusetts-LowellMA · Master's | $95,208 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +26% | — |
| 29 | University of California-San DiegoCA · Bachelor's | $95,018 n=52 | 82% 5yr | $18,000 | 0.19× | Above +147% | Clears 2/2 |
| 30 | Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $94,543 n=23 | 89% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.23× | Above +157% | Clears 2/2 |
| 31 | Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's | $92,826 n=21 | 72% 1yr | $19,500 | 0.21× | Above +160% | — |
| 32 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $92,746 n=42 | 86% 5yr | $26,224 | 0.28× | Above +144% | Clears 2/2 |
| 33 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Bachelor's | $92,293 n=35 | 83% 5yr | $21,148 | 0.23× | Above +163% | Clears 2/2 |
| 34 | Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $91,610 n=16 | — | $25,000 | 0.27× | Above +143% | — |
| 35 | University of Massachusetts-LowellMA · Bachelor's | $91,438 n=17 | 83% 1yr | $21,677 | 0.24× | Above +110% | — |
| 36 | University of Maryland-College ParkMD · Bachelor's | $90,900 n=22 | 93% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.21× | Above +116% | Clears 2/2 |
| 37 | Towson UniversityMD · Bachelor's | $90,457 n=16 | — | $24,250 | 0.27× | Above +115% | — |
| 38 | University of North Carolina at CharlotteNC · Bachelor's | $89,944 n=18 | — | $28,000 | 0.31× | Above +162% | — |
| 39 | Southern Arkansas University Main CampusAR · Bachelor's | $89,685 n=27 | 92% 1yr | $22,250 | 0.25× | Above +163% | — |
| 40 | Willamette UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $89,506 n=16 | — | $19,500 | 0.22× | Above +144% | — |
| 41 | West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeWV · Bachelor's | $89,430 n=18 | 100% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.28× | Above +154% | — |
| 42 | University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's | $88,207 n=27 | 94% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.23× | Above +140% | Clears 2/2 |
| 43 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCA · Bachelor's | $87,856 n=20 | 87% 5yr | $23,000 | 0.26× | Above +129% | Clears 2/2 |
| 44 | Portland State UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $87,488 n=23 | 86% 5yr | $22,358 | 0.26× | Above +138% | Clears 2/2 |
| 45 | University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireWI · Bachelor's | $87,033 n=22 | — | $25,500 | 0.29× | Above +123% | — |
| 46 | Stockton UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $86,849 n=18 | — | — | — | Above +118% | — |
| 47 | California State University-FullertonCA · Bachelor's | $86,504 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +125% | — |
| 48 | University of HoustonTX · Bachelor's | $86,078 n=16 | — | $25,454 | 0.30× | Above +141% | — |
| 49 | University of California-Los AngelesCA · Bachelor's | $85,708 n=39 | 81% 5yr | $21,000 | 0.24× | Above +123% | Clears 2/2 |
| 50 | Bethel UniversityMN · Bachelor's | $85,657 n=26 | — | $21,500 | 0.25× | Above +114% | — |
| 51 | University of Wisconsin-River FallsWI · Bachelor's | $85,638 n=25 | 90% 1yr | $19,500 | 0.23× | Above +120% | — |
| 52 | University of California-Santa BarbaraCA · Bachelor's | $85,219 n=57 | 83% 5yr | $15,965 | 0.19× | Above +122% | Clears 2/2 |
| 53 | Georgia College & State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $85,089 n=20 | — | — | — | Above +141% | — |
| 54 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusGA · Bachelor's | $82,431 n=19 | — | $21,500 | 0.26× | Above +134% | Clears 2/2 |
| 55 | Appalachian State UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $82,399 n=34 | — | $22,096 | 0.27× | Above +140% | Clears 2/2 |
| 56 | Illinois State UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $81,949 n=18 | — | $21,048 | 0.26× | Above +117% | — |
| 57 | Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteNY · Bachelor's | $81,840 n=26 | 93% 5yr | $20,270 | 0.25× | Above +115% | Clears 2/2 |
| 58 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's | $81,763 n=35 | 88% 5yr | $23,299 | 0.28× | Above +117% | Clears 2/2 |
| 59 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AbingtonPA · Bachelor's | $81,763 n=35 | 88% 5yr | $23,299 | 0.28× | Above +117% | Clears 2/2 |
| 60 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend CollegePA · Bachelor's | $81,763 n=35 | 88% 5yr | $23,299 | 0.28× | Above +117% | Clears 2/2 |
| 61 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $81,696 n=46 | 80% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.26× | Above +122% | Clears 2/2 |
| 62 | Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $81,696 n=46 | 80% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.26× | Above +122% | — |
| 63 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's | $81,077 n=37 | 81% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.24× | Above +115% | Clears 2/2 |
| 64 | University of Wisconsin-La CrosseWI · Bachelor's | $80,594 n=43 | 97% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.24× | Above +107% | Clears 2/2 |
| 65 | SUNY OneontaNY · Bachelor's | $80,041 n=20 | — | — | — | Above +110% | — |
| 66 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMN · Bachelor's | $80,025 n=36 | 89% 5yr | $23,930 | 0.30× | Above +100% | Clears 2/2 |
| 67 | Salisbury UniversityMD · Bachelor's | $79,158 n=21 | 100% 5yr | $20,325 | 0.26× | Above +88% | Clears 2/2 |
| 68 | University of California-DavisCA · Bachelor's | $78,569 n=34 | 98% 5yr | $14,354 | 0.18× | Above +104% | Clears 2/2 |
| 69 | William & MaryVA · Bachelor's | $77,863 n=17 | — | $21,000 | 0.27× | Above +105% | — |
| 70 | Seton Hall UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $77,851 n=18 | — | $22,250 | 0.29× | Above +95% | — |
| 71 | Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $77,737 n=20 | 66% 1yr | $22,078 | 0.28× | Above +104% | — |
| 72 | SUNY College at GeneseoNY · Bachelor's | $77,575 n=24 | — | $17,420 | 0.23× | Above +104% | — |
| 73 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Bachelor's | $77,380 n=20 | 74% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.27× | Above +99% | Clears 2/2 |
| 74 | University of UtahUT · Bachelor's | $77,158 n=23 | — | $19,500 | 0.25× | Above +94% | Clears 2/2 |
| 75 | Lewis UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $76,122 n=22 | — | $23,250 | 0.30× | Above +102% | — |
| 76 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusWA · Bachelor's | $75,867 n=77 | 92% 5yr | $15,415 | 0.20× | Above +78% | Clears 2/2 |
| 77 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Bachelor's | $75,867 n=77 | 92% 5yr | $15,415 | 0.20× | Above +78% | Clears 2/2 |
| 78 | University of Colorado BoulderCO · Bachelor's | $75,764 n=19 | — | $19,306 | 0.26× | Above +82% | Clears 2/2 |
| 79 | Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's | $75,281 n=19 | — | $27,000 | 0.36× | Above +98% | — |
| 80 | University of OregonOR · Bachelor's | $75,160 n=31 | — | $16,500 | 0.22× | Above +105% | — |
| 81 | Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $74,813 n=17 | — | $27,000 | 0.36× | Above +99% | — |
| 82 | The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's | $74,738 n=56 | 92% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.26× | Above +109% | Clears 2/2 |
| 83 | University of DelawareDE · Bachelor's | $74,475 n=16 | — | $26,572 | 0.36× | Above +94% | — |
| 84 | University of California-RiversideCA · Bachelor's | $74,410 n=21 | — | $19,000 | 0.26× | Above +94% | Clears 2/2 |
| 85 | University of ConnecticutCT · Bachelor's | $73,879 n=19 | — | $25,460 | 0.34× | Above +75% | — |
| 86 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointCT · Bachelor's | $73,879 n=19 | — | $25,460 | 0.34× | Above +75% | — |
| 87 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusCT · Bachelor's | $73,879 n=19 | — | $25,460 | 0.34× | Above +75% | — |
| 88 | University of Connecticut-StamfordCT · Bachelor's | $73,879 n=19 | — | $25,460 | 0.34× | Above +75% | — |
| 89 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusCT · Bachelor's | $73,879 n=19 | — | $25,460 | 0.34× | Above +75% | — |
| 90 | Brigham Young UniversityUT · Bachelor's | $73,747 n=20 | 92% 5yr | $8,250 | 0.11× | Above +85% | Clears 2/2 |
| 91 | Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $73,703 n=19 | — | — | — | Above +96% | — |
| 92 | Gustavus Adolphus CollegeMN · Bachelor's | $73,540 n=16 | 80% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.35× | Above +84% | Clears 2/2 |
| 93 | University of Northern ColoradoCO · Bachelor's | $73,186 n=17 | — | $23,810 | 0.33× | Above +76% | — |
| 94 | Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $72,734 n=46 | 100% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.37× | Above +82% | Clears 2/2 |
| 95 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstMA · Bachelor's | $72,596 n=20 | — | $26,202 | 0.36× | Above +67% | Clears 2/2 |
| 96 | The University of Texas at ArlingtonTX · Bachelor's | $71,830 n=26 | 86% 5yr | $22,964 | 0.32× | Above +101% | Clears 2/2 |
| 97 | University of Nebraska-LincolnNE · Bachelor's | $71,752 n=17 | — | $25,209 | 0.35× | Above +93% | — |
| 98 | California State University-Long BeachCA · Bachelor's | $70,462 n=35 | 90% 5yr | $18,654 | 0.27× | Above +83% | Clears 2/2 |
| 99 | New York UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $69,334 n=43 | — | $22,750 | 0.33× | Above +82% | — |
| 100 | Middle Tennessee State UniversityTN · Bachelor's | $69,192 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +98% | — |
| 101 | University of South FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $68,967 n=35 | 78% 5yr | $17,599 | 0.26× | Above +104% | Clears 2/2 |
| 102 | University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $68,682 n=22 | 79% 5yr | $13,750 | 0.20× | Above +103% | Clears 2/2 |
| 103 | New York UniversityNY · Master's | $68,529 n=37 | — | $118,813 | 1.73× | Below -3% | — |
| 104 | University of Puerto Rico-HumacaoPR · Bachelor's | $67,625 n=18 | — | — | — | Above +311% | — |
| 105 | Rutgers University-CamdenNJ · Bachelor's | $67,544 n=61 | 54% 1yr | $23,971 | 0.35× | Above +69% | — |
| 106 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Bachelor's | $67,544 n=61 | 54% 1yr | $23,971 | 0.35× | Above +69% | — |
| 107 | Rutgers University-NewarkNJ · Bachelor's | $67,544 n=61 | 54% 1yr | $23,971 | 0.35× | Above +69% | — |
| 108 | St. John's University-New YorkNY · Bachelor's | $67,536 n=18 | — | — | — | Above +78% | — |
| 109 | Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Bachelor's | $67,505 n=18 | — | $21,224 | 0.31× | Above +80% | — |
| 110 | Siena CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $66,865 n=23 | — | $23,500 | 0.35× | Above +76% | — |
| 111 | Texas State UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $65,217 n=23 | 94% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.30× | Above +82% | — |
| 112 | Stony Brook UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $65,013 n=27 | 90% 5yr | $21,341 | 0.33× | Above +71% | Clears 2/2 |
| 113 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's | $64,837 n=20 | — | $26,000 | 0.40× | Above +72% | — |
| 114 | Boise State UniversityID · Bachelor's | $64,459 n=17 | — | $24,469 | 0.38× | Above +81% | — |
| 115 | University of North FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $64,413 n=16 | — | $25,000 | 0.39× | Above +91% | Clears 2/2 |
| 116 | California State University-SacramentoCA · Bachelor's | $64,133 n=17 | — | $21,784 | 0.34× | Above +67% | — |
| 117 | Western Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $63,833 n=27 | — | $24,220 | 0.38× | Above +50% | — |
| 118 | Morehead State UniversityKY · Bachelor's | $62,865 n=22 | — | $26,868 | 0.43× | Above +81% | — |
| 119 | California State University-San BernardinoCA · Bachelor's | $62,004 n=17 | — | $24,736 | 0.40× | Above +61% | — |
| 120 | Coe CollegeIA · Bachelor's | $61,162 n=19 | — | $27,000 | 0.44× | Above +59% | — |
| 121 | Georgia State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $60,393 n=27 | — | $21,859 | 0.36× | Above +71% | Clears 2/2 |
| 122 | North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Bachelor's | $51,590 n=18 | 80% 1yr | $22,710 | 0.44× | Above +50% | — |
| 123 | The University of Texas at San AntonioTX · Bachelor's | $42,790 n=18 | — | $25,000 | 0.58× | Above +20% | — |
% > 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.
By state — median earnings, 4 yrs out
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $106,130 | 3 |
| Oregon | $96,336 | 6 |
| Massachusetts | $95,208 | 5 |
| Maryland | $90,457 | 3 |
| North Carolina | $89,944 | 5 |
| California | $87,856 | 17 |
| Virginia | $85,304 | 4 |
| Arizona | $84,952 | 4 |
| Wisconsin | $83,116 | 4 |
| Georgia | $82,431 | 3 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,763 | 9 |
| Illinois | $81,513 | 4 |
| Minnesota | $80,025 | 3 |
| New York | $76,428 | 12 |
| Washington | $75,867 | 4 |
| Connecticut | $73,879 | 5 |
| Texas | $73,284 | 6 |
| New Jersey | $70,139 | 6 |
| Florida | $68,682 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Physics programs, by median graduate earnings.
Frequently asked
Which colleges have the highest-paying Physics programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Physics programs in this dataset are University of Arizona ($179,750), University of California-Los Angeles ($178,137), University of California-Berkeley ($177,589). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Physics programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 1 of the 123 Physics 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.
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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.