by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 132 U.S. colleges awarded 2,991 degrees and certificates in General Physical Sciences. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 85% of graduates. College Factual ranks 58 schools in its 2027 Best General Physical Sciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $29,769 one year after completing, rising to $52,645 after four years.
A major in General Physical Sciences provides a solid background in the physical sciences, often with a focus in chemistry or physics. This is an interdisciplinary major that is great preparation for a career as a science teacher, or other science related jobs.
General Physical Sciences is different from other majors in that its focus is on a broad education, rather than a specific area. Some of the classes students will take include chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy, thermodynamics, earth science and others. A bachelor's degree is usually not enough education for a career specific to the various science fields. However, it is excellent preparation for teaching, work as a lab technician or graduate studies.
Studying General Physical Sciences covers Physical Sciences, General.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, general physical sciences is a popular field of study, with 2,991 degrees awarded annually. 132 colleges award general physical sciences degrees, an average of 23 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 371.
By level, the 2,991 awards include 2,535 associate degrees, 375 bachelor’s degrees, 70 master’s degrees and 11 doctorates.
Women earned 47% of general physical sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,418 of 2,991). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,084) and Hispanic or Latino (731), and international students earned 193.
College Factual ranks 58 schools in its 2027 Best General Physical Sciences Schools ranking, including 48 for associate degrees, 8 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks general physical sciences schools within 11 states. In all, 132 colleges offer general physical sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Physical Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general physical sciences credential is the associate degree: 2,535 of the 2,991 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general physical sciences call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Customer and Personal Service and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
This major is focused on the study of the physical elements of our world. Students should not be afraid of advanced science or math classes. They should have a scientific, objective mind and enjoy observing elements, performing experiments and making discoveries.
Your classes will involve time spent in the lecture halls as well as plenty of lab work. You will usually work in pairs or groups performing experiments and writing lab reports documenting your findings. Students should be detail oriented and creative when performing research and writing papers. Good communication and teamwork skills will help you when preparing group presentations, as well as in a future career.
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How long a general physical sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,535 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 375 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 70 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general physical sciences, at 63.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 63.6% |
| Master’s degree | 8.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 3.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to General Physical Sciences, with an average median salary of $125,200; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Trials Manager, Research Coordinator, Clinical Project Manager and Voice Teacher.
Most students who pursue a major in General Physical Sciences are interested in teaching at the secondary level. They can become physics, chemistry or general science teachers. Some choose to continue their education with a graduate degree in the same field or in a specialized area. For those not interested in teaching, graduates can obtain jobs as lab technicians, conservationists, forestry technicians, wildlife management and other science-related work. Salary will depend on your career choice and education level.
The occupation related to general physical sciences with the most projected jobs is Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, at 571,954.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
General Physical Sciences graduates earn a median $29,769 one year after completing their program, $52,645 after four years and $49,432 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,769 |
| 4 years | $52,645 |
| 5 years | $49,432 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general physical sciences 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 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
General Physical Sciences includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Physical Sciences, General (2,991). It has 8 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 45,712 degrees a year; the largest are Chemistry (19,861), Physics (13,929) and Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (7,713). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Sciences, General | 2,991 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 19,861 |
| Physics | 13,929 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 7,713 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1,749 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 1,297 |
| Materials Sciences | 633 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 469 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 61 |
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