by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 29 U.S. colleges awarded 469 degrees and certificates in Other Physical Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 51% of graduates. College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Other Physical Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $58,639 one year after completing, rising to $74,683 after four years.
A major in Other Physical Science involves the study of Physical Sciences, Other. Any Instructional Program In Physical Sciences Not Listed Above.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., other physical science draws strong interest, with 469 degrees awarded annually. 29 colleges award other physical science degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 155.
By level, the 469 awards include 31 associate degrees, 240 bachelor’s degrees, 151 master’s degrees and 47 doctorates.
Women earned 47% of other physical science degrees and certificates in the latest year (219 of 469). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (245) and Hispanic or Latino (40), and international students earned 60.
College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Other Physical Science Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 5 for bachelor’s degrees and 4 for master’s degrees. It also ranks other physical science schools within 4 states. In all, 29 colleges offer other physical science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Physical Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other physical science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 240 of the 469 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to other physical science call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Customer and Personal Service and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Deductive Reasoning, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an other physical science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 31 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 240 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 151 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 47 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to other physical science, at 54.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 54.7% |
| Master’s degree | 13.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.3% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Other Physical Science, with an average median salary of $106,285; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Military Science Instructor, Medical Secretary Teacher, Naval Science Teacher and Adjunct Instructor.
The occupation related to other physical science with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | 188,913 | 7.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | 88,872 | 5.3% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Other Physical Science graduates earn a median $58,639 one year after completing their program, $74,683 after four years and $55,658 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $58,639 |
| 4 years | $74,683 |
| 5 years | $55,658 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to other physical science 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 |
| Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | $73,261 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $72,607 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
