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Best Physics & Physical Sciences Programs 2026
Best physics and physical science programs ranked by salary. See where science graduates earn the most.
8 programs ranked
$36,153 avg salary
6 public schools
💻 Computer Science⚙️ Engineering📊 Business & Finance📈 Economics🧬 Biology & Pre-Med📐 Mathematics & Statistics🏛️ Political Science & Government🧠 Psychology🎤 Communications & Media📚 Liberal Arts & Humanities📖 Education & Teaching⚛️ Physics & Physical Sciences
1
Physics
87/100University of Chicago · Chicago, IL
$52,578 median salary$18,967/yr net cost3.6 yr break-even+75% vs. HS diploma
2
Chemistry
84/100PublicUniversity of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA
$47,449 median salary$14,979/yr net cost3.7 yr break-even+58% vs. HS diploma
3
Physics
81/100PublicUniversity of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA
$43,877 median salary$14,979/yr net cost4.7 yr break-even+46% vs. HS diploma
4
Physics
80/100PublicUniversity of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI
$42,728 median salary$14,832/yr net cost5.2 yr break-even+42% vs. HS diploma
5
Chemistry
65/100University of Chicago · Chicago, IL
$36,403 median salary$18,967/yr net cost12.7 yr break-even+21% vs. HS diploma
6
Chemistry
46/100PublicWayne State University · Detroit, MI
$28,106 median salary$14,773/yr net cost+-6% vs. HS diploma
7
Astronomy and Astrophysics
35/100PublicUniversity of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI
$19,258 median salary$14,832/yr net cost+-36% vs. HS diploma
8
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
34/100PublicUniversity of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI
$18,827 median salary$14,832/yr net cost+-37% vs. HS diploma
Compare Schools Side by Side
See how different physics & physical sciences programs stack up on cost, salary, and graduation rates.
Rankings are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Programs are ranked by median earnings 1 year after completion. Data reflects bachelor's degree programs only.