by our College Data Analytics TeamLearn the key facts every physics and astronomy major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering physics and astronomy programs.
In the U.S., physics and astronomy is a popular field of study, with 39 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Physics and Astronomy Schools ranking analyzes these 4 schools to determine the best overall colleges for physics and astronomy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of physics and astronomy programs later in this article.
Coursework for Physics and Astronomy develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations physics and astronomy graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a physics and astronomy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a physics and astronomy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several physics and astronomy degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 14 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 16 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 9 |
People currently working in careers related to physics and astronomy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 27.4% |
| Master’s degree | 23.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 21.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.0% |
| Some college courses | 2.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in physics and astronomy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying physics and astronomy prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to physics and astronomy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to physics and astronomy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | 415,392 | 14.3% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Astronomers | 130,193 | 8.3% |
| Physicists | 118,738 | 8.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Salaries for physics and astronomy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers physics and astronomy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Physicists | $111,776 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Astronomers | $106,445 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,685 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
With 4 different physics and astronomy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased physics and astronomy school rankings to help you.
Those considering physics and astronomy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physics and Astronomy | 39 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 19,434 |
| Physics | 12,910 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 7,622 |
| Physical Sciences, General | 2,661 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1,580 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 1,341 |
| Materials Sciences | 650 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 422 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
