by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 13 U.S. colleges awarded 44 degrees and certificates in Chemical Physics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 64% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Chemical Physics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $46,311 one year after completing, rising to $74,187 after four years.
Studying Chemical Physics covers Chemical Physics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Structural Phenomena Combining The Disciplines Of Physical Chemistry And Atomic/molecular Physics. Includes Instruction In Heterogeneous Structures, Alignment And Surface Phenomena, Quantum Theory, Mathematical Physics, Statistical And Classical Mechanics, Chemical Kinetics, And Laser Physics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, chemical physics is a popular field of study, with 44 degrees awarded annually. 13 colleges award chemical physics degrees, an average of 3 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 13.
By level, the 44 awards include 28 bachelor’s degrees and 16 doctorates.
Women earned 41% of chemical physics degrees and certificates in the latest year (18 of 44). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (21) and Asian (8), and international students earned 9.
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Chemical Physics Schools ranking, including 1 for bachelor’s degrees. In all, 13 colleges offer chemical physics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Chemical Physics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common chemical physics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 28 of the 44 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to chemical physics call most for Reading Comprehension, Writing and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a chemical physics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 28 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 16 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to chemical physics, at 28.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 28.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 22.1% |
| Master’s degree | 20.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Chemical Physics, with an average median salary of $105,474; the strongest outlook belongs to Physics Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include College Faculty Member, Adjunct Instructor, Associate Professor and Lecturer.
The occupation related to chemical physics with the most projected jobs is Clinical Research Coordinators, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | 415,392 | 14.3% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Chemists | 91,666 | 3.1% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Chemical Physics graduates earn a median $46,311 one year after completing their program, $74,187 after four years and $72,061 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,311 |
| 4 years | $74,187 |
| 5 years | $72,061 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to chemical physics is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,685 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
| Chemists | $59,779 |
Chemical Physics has 10 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 19,817 degrees a year; the largest are Chemistry, General (18,718), Chemistry, Other (574) and Forensic Chemistry (363). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry, General | 18,718 |
| Chemistry, Other | 574 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 363 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 72 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 38 |
| Environmental Chemistry | 21 |
| Organic Chemistry | 9 |
| Physical Chemistry | 9 |
| Theoretical Chemistry | 9 |
| Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
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