Physics
9,047 students earn a physics credential each year across 804 US colleges. Earnings below are the median for each school's graduates one and five years after finishing; debt is the median federal loan balance at completion.
- Typical earnings, 1 year out
- $46,641
- Typical earnings, 5 years out
- $80,500
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Rank colleges by
Bachelor's programs — top 100 of 679 colleges by graduates
CollegeGrads / yearEarnings 1 yearEarnings 5 yearsDebt
1University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, California183$53,5971 year out$104,149$15,9822University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, Washington125$41,4741 year out$82,775$17,1133University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, California110$50,2191 year out—$15,5084University of California-IrvineIrvine, California86$43,1441 year out—$15,0005University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, Colorado82$41,8741 year out$69,490$20,6356The University of Texas at AustinAustin, Texas80$36,8321 year out$92,183$20,3337Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, Massachusetts79$54,7731 year out$126,258$18,5008University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, California74$60,4951 year out$80,500$21,1009University of ArizonaTucson, Arizona71—1 year out$92,526$20,65010University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, Michigan70$53,0191 year out$75,644$22,25011Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, Ohio68$53,5041 year out$80,357$23,35712University of California-DavisDavis, California62—1 year out$80,618$16,46413University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, Maryland62$39,8251 year out$101,240$20,19414University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, Illinois61$51,0191 year out$72,340$20,50015University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, California60$48,9511 year out$84,411$16,80016Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, Michigan57$33,4001 year out$75,119$27,00017New York UniversityNew York, New York57$24,8021 year out—$22,75018Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, New York57$44,5621 year out$85,544$21,68319Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, Pennsylvania56$43,4611 year out$60,242$23,83020University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania55$68,2151 year out——21Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, Georgia52—1 year out$81,584$21,83122Harvard UniversityCambridge, Massachusetts51—1 year out——23University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, Massachusetts51—1 year out—$27,00024University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, Wisconsin51$36,8781 year out$69,928$20,50025University of ChicagoChicago, Illinois48—1 year out$91,650—26Cornell UniversityIthaca, New York48$50,9331 year out—$15,96127University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, North Carolina47$62,6471 year out—$19,20028University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, Virginia47—1 year out——29Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, Indiana47$30,2031 year out—$21,94830Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, Texas46$53,3291 year out—$17,52231Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, Arizona42$30,5031 year out$73,544$24,70032Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy, New York42$60,3481 year out$111,815$20,27033Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, Virginia42$58,0611 year out$78,349$27,00034University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, Minnesota41$54,3501 year out$66,489$23,59435Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, New Jersey41$35,6891 year out$87,968$26,97436Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, New York40$48,3741 year out—$27,00037University of RochesterRochester, New York40—1 year out—$19,00038William & MaryWilliamsburg, Virginia40—1 year out—$20,00039Boston UniversityBoston, Massachusetts39—1 year out——40University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, Alabama38—1 year out——41University of Central FloridaOrlando, Florida37$55,8261 year out—$18,13842Florida State UniversityTallahassee, Florida37—1 year out$76,659$20,76543University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, California36$37,8591 year out—$16,25044University of FloridaGainesville, Florida36—1 year out$71,362$13,75045California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, California35—1 year out$114,864$23,00046Brigham Young UniversityProvo, Utah35$68,6641 year out$97,503—47University of UtahSalt Lake City, Utah35$38,7481 year out—$21,99048Princeton UniversityPrinceton, New Jersey34—1 year out——49University of California-RiversideRiverside, California33$19,9771 year out—$19,00050Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, Oregon33$48,1691 year out—$25,41051Stanford UniversityStanford, California33—1 year out——52California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, California32$42,0571 year out$79,330$23,22953University of South FloridaTampa, Florida32$46,0941 year out$78,010$22,75054University of Notre DameNotre Dame, Indiana32—1 year out$87,228$21,50055The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, Texas32$34,6111 year out$79,646$22,31456United States Naval AcademyAnnapolis, Maryland31—1 year out——57Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, Ohio31—1 year out—$25,29258Columbia College ChicagoChicago, Illinois30—1 year out——59Illinois State UniversityNormal, Illinois30—1 year out——60The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, Texas30—1 year out—$23,87561University of OregonEugene, Oregon29—1 year out——62Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania29—1 year out——63The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, Tennessee28—1 year out—$25,34464California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, California27$64,0451 year out$74,433$23,00065Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, Connecticut27—1 year out——66Northeastern UniversityBoston, Massachusetts27$49,3991 year out—$26,79767St Olaf CollegeNorthfield, Minnesota27—1 year out—$23,76268Rowan UniversityGlassboro, New Jersey27$36,4351 year out$84,651$27,00069California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, California26—1 year out——70Yale UniversityNew Haven, Connecticut26—1 year out——71Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, New York26—1 year out——72Brown UniversityProvidence, Rhode Island26—1 year out——73University of ArkansasFayetteville, Arkansas25—1 year out——74Northwestern UniversityEvanston, Illinois25—1 year out——75University of HoustonHouston, Texas25—1 year out—$25,92576The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, Texas25$36,3281 year out—$27,50877Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, Minnesota24—1 year out——78Colgate UniversityHamilton, New York24—1 year out——79Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, Washington24—1 year out$56,540—80Whitworth UniversitySpokane, Washington24$65,3161 year out—$23,25081Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia, Arkansas23$58,8701 year out—$23,62582University of ConnecticutStorrs, Connecticut23$32,3411 year out—$26,32483Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, Maryland23—1 year out——84The College of New JerseyEwing, New Jersey23—1 year out——85CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, New York23—1 year out——86Haverford CollegeHaverford, Pennsylvania23—1 year out——87Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, Georgia22$31,0011 year out$57,198$26,29688Boise State UniversityBoise, Idaho22$45,8131 year out—$26,17589Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, Louisiana22—1 year out——90University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, Massachusetts22$48,3241 year out—$22,17791Pomona CollegeClaremont, California21—1 year out——92Macalester CollegeSaint Paul, Minnesota21—1 year out——93Hamilton CollegeClinton, New York21—1 year out——94Clemson UniversityClemson, South Carolina21—1 year out——95San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, California20—1 year out——96San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, California20—1 year out——97Idaho State UniversityPocatello, Idaho20—1 year out——98Brigham Young University-IdahoRexburg, Idaho20—1 year out——99Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, Indiana20—1 year out—$25,687100University of Nevada-RenoReno, Nevada20—1 year out——
Associate programs — top 100 of 127 colleges by graduates
CollegeGrads / yearEarnings 1 yearEarnings 5 yearsDebt
1Irvine Valley CollegeIrvine, California99—1 year out——2Saddleback CollegeMission Viejo, California44—1 year out——3Moorpark CollegeMoorpark, California43—1 year out——4College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita, California32—1 year out$72,279—5Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland Hills, California32—1 year out——6Bakersfield CollegeBakersfield, California27—1 year out——7Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa, California27—1 year out——8Cabrillo CollegeAptos, California24—1 year out——9Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta Barbara, California24—1 year out——10Chaffey CollegeRancho Cucamonga, California23—1 year out——11College of San MateoSan Mateo, California23—1 year out——12El Camino Community College DistrictTorrance, California22—1 year out——13Pasadena City CollegePasadena, California22—1 year out——14West Valley CollegeSaratoga, California22—1 year out——15Antelope Valley Community College DistrictLancaster, California21—1 year out——16Golden West CollegeHuntington Beach, California20—1 year out——17Hartnell CollegeSalinas, California20—1 year out——18Los Angeles Valley CollegeValley Glen, California20—1 year out——19Clovis Community CollegeFresno, California20—1 year out——20Diablo Valley CollegePleasant Hill, California19—1 year out——21Cypress CollegeCypress, California18—1 year out——22Glendale Community CollegeGlendale, California18—1 year out——23Mt San Jacinto Community College DistrictSan Jacinto, California18—1 year out——24Oxnard CollegeOxnard, California18—1 year out——25Los Angeles Harbor CollegeWilmington, California17—1 year out——26Folsom Lake CollegeFolsom, California17—1 year out——27Norco CollegeNorco, California17—1 year out——28San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego, California16—1 year out——29Sierra CollegeRocklin, California16—1 year out——30Santiago Canyon CollegeOrange, California16—1 year out——31Napa Valley CollegeNapa, California15—1 year out——32Rio Hondo CollegeWhittier, California15—1 year out——33San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton, California15—1 year out——34Allan Hancock CollegeSanta Maria, California14—1 year out——35Cerritos CollegeNorwalk, California14—1 year out——36Los Angeles City CollegeLos Angeles, California14—1 year out——37Los Medanos CollegePittsburg, California14—1 year out——38Solano Community CollegeFairfield, California14—1 year out——39Arizona Western CollegeYuma, Arizona13—1 year out——40Reedley CollegeReedley, California13—1 year out——41Grossmont CollegeEl Cajon, California12—1 year out——42Long Beach City CollegeLong Beach, California12—1 year out——43San Diego Miramar CollegeSan Diego, California12—1 year out——44Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa, California12—1 year out——45Skyline CollegeSan Bruno, California12—1 year out——46Butte CollegeOroville, California11—1 year out——47East Los Angeles CollegeMonterey Park, California11—1 year out——48Evergreen Valley CollegeSan Jose, California11—1 year out——49Cuesta CollegeSan Luis Obispo, California10—1 year out——50Cuyamaca CollegeEl Cajon, California10—1 year out——51West Los Angeles CollegeCulver City, California10—1 year out——52Austin Community College DistrictAustin, Texas10—1 year out——53Merced CollegeMerced, California9—1 year out——54College of the SequoiasVisalia, California9—1 year out——55Rogers State UniversityClaremore, Oklahoma9—1 year out——56Citrus CollegeGlendora, California8—1 year out——57Crafton Hills CollegeYucaipa, California8—1 year out——58College of the DesertPalm Desert, California8—1 year out——59Fullerton CollegeFullerton, California8—1 year out——60Columbia CollegeSonora, California7—1 year out——61Cosumnes River CollegeSacramento, California7—1 year out——62Riverside City CollegeRiverside, California7—1 year out——63Shasta CollegeRedding, California7—1 year out——64American River CollegeSacramento, California6—1 year out——65Foothill CollegeLos Altos Hills, California6—1 year out——66Fresno City CollegeFresno, California6—1 year out——67Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos Angeles, California6—1 year out——68Mission CollegeSanta Clara, California6—1 year out——69Modesto Junior CollegeModesto, California6—1 year out——70Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana, California6—1 year out——71College of the RedwoodsEureka, California6—1 year out——72Contra Costa CollegeSan Pablo, California5—1 year out——73Los Angeles Southwest CollegeLos Angeles, California5—1 year out——74San Diego City CollegeSan Diego, California5—1 year out——75Bunker Hill Community CollegeBoston, Massachusetts5—1 year out——76Las Positas CollegeLivermore, California5—1 year out——77Chabot CollegeHayward, California4—1 year out——78Monterey Peninsula CollegeMonterey, California4—1 year out——79Ohlone CollegeFremont, California4—1 year out——80San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan Bernardino, California4—1 year out——81Connecticut State Community CollegeNew Britain, Connecticut4—1 year out——82Butler Community CollegeEl Dorado, Kansas4—1 year out——83Mount Wachusett Community CollegeGardner, Massachusetts4—1 year out——84El Paso Community CollegeEl Paso, Texas4—1 year out——85Salt Lake Community CollegeSalt Lake City, Utah4—1 year out——86Copper Mountain Community CollegeJoshua Tree, California4—1 year out——87Lemoore CollegeLemoore, California4—1 year out——88City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco, California3—1 year out——89Stark State CollegeNorth Canton, Ohio3—1 year out——90Amarillo CollegeAmarillo, Texas3—1 year out——91Tyler Junior CollegeTyler, Texas3—1 year out——92Chandler-Gilbert Community CollegeChandler, Arizona3—1 year out——93Canada CollegeRedwood City, California2—1 year out——94Imperial Valley CollegeImperial, California2—1 year out——95Laney CollegeOakland, California2—1 year out——96Southwestern CollegeChula Vista, California2—1 year out——97Southeastern Community CollegeWest Burlington, Iowa2—1 year out——98Cecil CollegeNorth East, Maryland2—1 year out——99Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque, New Mexico2—1 year out——100Oklahoma City Community CollegeOklahoma City, Oklahoma2—1 year out——
Certificate programs — 8 colleges
CollegeGrads / yearEarnings 1 yearEarnings 5 yearsDebt
1University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, Wisconsin23—1 year out——2Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, Florida5—1 year out——3University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, Pennsylvania4—1 year out——4University of Massachusetts-BostonBoston, Massachusetts3—1 year out——5San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego, California1—1 year out——6Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne, Indiana1—1 year out——7Rowan UniversityGlassboro, New Jersey1—1 year out——8University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point, Wisconsin1—1 year out——
US Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data (4-digit CIP). Graduates are conferrals in the most recent IPEDS year; earnings cover federally-aided completers who are working and not enrolled; medians for small programs are privacy-suppressed (—).