Physics programs

CIP 4008 · Physical Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion

112 institutions report graduate earnings for Physics programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $81,387 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 126 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	91% 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	Utah State UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$93,461 n=17	–	$11,250	0.12×	Above +135%	Clears 2/2
32	Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's	$92,826 n=21	72% 1yr	$19,500	0.21×	Above +160%	–
33	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$92,746 n=42	86% 5yr	$26,224	0.28×	Above +144%	Clears 2/2
34	University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Bachelor's	$92,293 n=35	83% 5yr	$21,148	0.23×	Above +163%	Clears 2/2
35	Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's	$91,610 n=16	–	$25,000	0.27×	Above +143%	–
36	University of Massachusetts-LowellMA · Bachelor's	$91,438 n=17	83% 1yr	$21,677	0.24×	Above +110%	–
37	University of Maryland-College ParkMD · Bachelor's	$90,900 n=22	93% 5yr	$19,500	0.21×	Above +116%	Clears 2/2
38	Towson UniversityMD · Bachelor's	$90,457 n=16	–	$24,250	0.27×	Above +115%	–
39	University of North Carolina at CharlotteNC · Bachelor's	$89,944 n=18	–	$28,000	0.31×	Above +162%	–
40	Southern Arkansas University Main CampusAR · Bachelor's	$89,685 n=27	92% 1yr	$22,250	0.25×	Above +163%	–
41	Willamette UniversityOR · Bachelor's	$89,506 n=16	–	$19,500	0.22×	Above +144%	–
42	West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeWV · Bachelor's	$89,430 n=18	100% 5yr	$25,000	0.28×	Above +154%	–
43	University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's	$88,207 n=27	94% 5yr	$20,500	0.23×	Above +140%	Clears 2/2
44	California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCA · Bachelor's	$87,856 n=20	87% 5yr	$23,000	0.26×	Above +129%	Clears 2/2
45	Portland State UniversityOR · Bachelor's	$87,488 n=23	86% 5yr	$22,358	0.26×	Above +138%	Clears 2/2
46	University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireWI · Bachelor's	$87,033 n=22	–	$25,500	0.29×	Above +123%	–
47	Stockton UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$86,849 n=18	–	–	–	Above +118%	–
48	California State University-FullertonCA · Bachelor's	$86,504 n=17	–	–	–	Above +125%	–
49	University of HoustonTX · Bachelor's	$86,078 n=16	–	$25,454	0.30×	Above +141%	–
50	University of California-Los AngelesCA · Bachelor's	$85,708 n=39	81% 5yr	$21,000	0.24×	Above +123%	Clears 2/2
51	Bethel UniversityMN · Bachelor's	$85,657 n=26	–	$21,500	0.25×	Above +114%	–
52	University of Wisconsin-River FallsWI · Bachelor's	$85,638 n=25	91% 1yr	$19,500	0.23×	Above +120%	–
53	University of California-Santa BarbaraCA · Bachelor's	$85,219 n=57	83% 5yr	$15,965	0.19×	Above +122%	Clears 2/2
54	Georgia College & State UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$85,089 n=20	–	–	–	Above +141%	–
55	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusGA · Bachelor's	$82,431 n=19	–	$21,500	0.26×	Above +134%	Clears 2/2
56	Appalachian State UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$82,399 n=34	–	$22,096	0.27×	Above +140%	Clears 2/2
57	Illinois State UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$81,949 n=18	–	$21,048	0.26×	Above +117%	–
58	Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteNY · Bachelor's	$81,840 n=26	93% 5yr	$20,270	0.25×	Above +115%	Clears 2/2
59	Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's	$81,763 n=35	88% 5yr	$23,299	0.28×	Above +117%	Clears 2/2
60	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AbingtonPA · Bachelor's	$81,763 n=35	88% 5yr	$23,299	0.28×	Above +117%	Clears 2/2
61	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
62	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's	$81,696 n=46	80% 5yr	$21,500	0.26×	Above +122%	Clears 2/2
63	Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's	$81,696 n=46	80% 5yr	$21,500	0.26×	Above +122%	–
64	University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's	$81,077 n=37	81% 5yr	$19,500	0.24×	Above +115%	Clears 2/2
65	Cabrillo CollegeCA · UG cert	$80,759 n=26	–	–	–	Above +110%	–
66	University of Wisconsin-La CrosseWI · Bachelor's	$80,594 n=43	97% 5yr	$19,500	0.24×	Above +107%	Clears 2/2
67	SUNY OneontaNY · Bachelor's	$80,041 n=20	–	–	–	Above +110%	–
68	University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMN · Bachelor's	$80,025 n=36	89% 5yr	$23,930	0.30×	Above +100%	Clears 2/2
69	Salisbury UniversityMD · Bachelor's	$79,158 n=21	100% 5yr	$20,325	0.26×	Above +88%	Clears 2/2
70	University of California-DavisCA · Bachelor's	$78,569 n=34	98% 5yr	$14,354	0.18×	Above +104%	Clears 2/2
71	William & MaryVA · Bachelor's	$77,863 n=17	–	$21,000	0.27×	Above +105%	–
72	Seton Hall UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$77,851 n=18	–	$22,250	0.29×	Above +95%	–
73	Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$77,737 n=20	66% 1yr	$22,078	0.28×	Above +104%	–
74	SUNY College at GeneseoNY · Bachelor's	$77,575 n=24	–	$17,420	0.23×	Above +104%	–
75	University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Bachelor's	$77,380 n=20	74% 5yr	$20,500	0.27×	Above +99%	Clears 2/2
76	University of UtahUT · Bachelor's	$77,158 n=23	–	$19,500	0.25×	Above +94%	Clears 2/2
77	Lewis UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$76,122 n=22	–	$23,250	0.30×	Above +102%	–
78	University of Washington-Bothell CampusWA · Bachelor's	$75,867 n=77	92% 5yr	$15,415	0.20×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
79	University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Bachelor's	$75,867 n=77	92% 5yr	$15,415	0.20×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
80	University of Colorado BoulderCO · Bachelor's	$75,764 n=19	–	$19,306	0.26×	Above +82%	Clears 2/2
81	Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's	$75,281 n=19	–	$27,000	0.36×	Above +98%	–
82	University of OregonOR · Bachelor's	$75,160 n=31	–	$16,500	0.22×	Above +105%	–
83	Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's	$74,813 n=17	–	$27,000	0.36×	Above +99%	–
84	The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's	$74,738 n=56	92% 5yr	$19,500	0.26×	Above +109%	Clears 2/2
85	University of DelawareDE · Bachelor's	$74,475 n=16	–	$26,572	0.36×	Above +94%	–
86	University of California-RiversideCA · Bachelor's	$74,410 n=21	–	$19,000	0.26×	Above +94%	Clears 2/2
87	University of ConnecticutCT · Bachelor's	$73,879 n=19	–	$25,460	0.34×	Above +75%	–
88	University of Connecticut-Avery PointCT · Bachelor's	$73,879 n=19	–	$25,460	0.34×	Above +75%	–
89	University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusCT · Bachelor's	$73,879 n=19	–	$25,460	0.34×	Above +75%	–
90	University of Connecticut-StamfordCT · Bachelor's	$73,879 n=19	–	$25,460	0.34×	Above +75%	–
91	University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusCT · Bachelor's	$73,879 n=19	–	$25,460	0.34×	Above +75%	–
92	Santa Ana CollegeCA · Associate	$73,770 n=16	–	–	–	Above +92%	–
93	Brigham Young UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$73,747 n=20	92% 5yr	$8,250	0.11×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
94	Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's	$73,703 n=19	–	–	–	Above +96%	–
95	Gustavus Adolphus CollegeMN · Bachelor's	$73,540 n=16	80% 5yr	$26,000	0.35×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
96	University of Northern ColoradoCO · Bachelor's	$73,186 n=17	–	$23,810	0.33×	Above +76%	–
97	Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$72,734 n=46	100% 5yr	$27,000	0.37×	Above +82%	Clears 2/2
98	University of Massachusetts-AmherstMA · Bachelor's	$72,596 n=20	–	$26,202	0.36×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
99	The University of Texas at ArlingtonTX · Bachelor's	$71,830 n=26	86% 5yr	$22,964	0.32×	Above +101%	Clears 2/2
100	University of Nebraska-LincolnNE · Bachelor's	$71,752 n=17	–	$25,209	0.35×	Above +93%	–
101	California State University-Long BeachCA · Bachelor's	$70,462 n=35	90% 5yr	$18,654	0.27×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
102	New York UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$69,334 n=43	–	$22,750	0.33×	Above +82%	–
103	Middle Tennessee State UniversityTN · Bachelor's	$69,192 n=16	–	–	–	Above +98%	–
104	University of South FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$68,967 n=35	78% 5yr	$17,599	0.26×	Above +104%	Clears 2/2
105	University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$68,682 n=22	79% 5yr	$13,750	0.20×	Above +103%	Clears 2/2
106	New York UniversityNY · Master's	$68,529 n=37	–	$118,813	1.73×	Below -3%	–
107	University of Puerto Rico-HumacaoPR · Bachelor's	$67,625 n=18	–	–	–	Above +311%	–
108	Rutgers University-CamdenNJ · Bachelor's	$67,544 n=61	54% 1yr	$23,971	0.35×	Above +69%	–
109	Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Bachelor's	$67,544 n=61	54% 1yr	$23,971	0.35×	Above +69%	–
110	Rutgers University-NewarkNJ · Bachelor's	$67,544 n=61	54% 1yr	$23,971	0.35×	Above +69%	–
111	St. John's University-New YorkNY · Bachelor's	$67,536 n=18	–	–	–	Above +78%	–
112	Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Bachelor's	$67,505 n=18	–	$21,224	0.31×	Above +80%	–
113	Siena CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$66,865 n=23	–	$23,500	0.35×	Above +76%	–
114	Texas State UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$65,217 n=23	94% 5yr	$19,500	0.30×	Above +82%	–
115	Stony Brook UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$65,013 n=27	90% 5yr	$21,341	0.33×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
116	Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's	$64,837 n=20	–	$26,000	0.40×	Above +72%	–
117	Boise State UniversityID · Bachelor's	$64,459 n=17	–	$24,469	0.38×	Above +81%	–
118	University of North FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$64,413 n=16	–	$25,000	0.39×	Above +91%	Clears 2/2
119	California State University-SacramentoCA · Bachelor's	$64,133 n=17	–	$21,784	0.34×	Above +67%	–
120	Western Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$63,833 n=27	–	$24,220	0.38×	Above +50%	–
121	Morehead State UniversityKY · Bachelor's	$62,865 n=22	–	$26,868	0.43×	Above +81%	–
122	California State University-San BernardinoCA · Bachelor's	$62,004 n=17	–	$24,736	0.40×	Above +61%	–
123	Coe CollegeIA · Bachelor's	$61,162 n=19	–	$27,000	0.44×	Above +59%	–
124	Georgia State UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$60,393 n=27	–	$21,859	0.36×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
125	North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Bachelor's	$51,590 n=18	80% 1yr	$22,710	0.44×	Above +50%	–
126	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	$96,337	6
Massachusetts	$95,208	5
Maryland	$90,457	3
North Carolina	$89,944	5
California	$86,504	19
Virginia	$85,305	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
Utah	$77,158	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 126 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.