by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their physics graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 88 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying physics schools.
What’s on this page:
Where you study physics affects what graduates go on to earn. That is why we developed our Highest Paid Physics Graduates ranking. It looks at the median early-career salaries graduates earn, so you can find the schools whose physics degrees pay off the most.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Highest Paid Physics Graduates list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools send physics graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #1 spot for highest-paid physics graduates in the United States. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Physics graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $114,864 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arizona produces some of the highest-paid graduates in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $129,989.
A rank of #3 makes James Madison University one of the highest-paying schools for physics. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Early-career physics graduates from James Madison University make a median of around $93,914 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Chicago earned it the #4 place for physics. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career physics graduates from University Of Chicago make a median of around $91,650 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Gustavus Adolphus College earned it the #5 place for physics. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Early-career physics graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College make a median of around $88,070 per year.
University Of Notre Dame placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,228.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. After graduating, physics degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology typically earn about $126,258 annually.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #8 for physics graduate earnings this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,584.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #9 spot for physics salaries this year. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $111,815.
West Virginia Wesleyan College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Set in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career physics graduates from West Virginia Wesleyan College make a median of around $80,917 per year.
University Of California Davis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,618.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo typically earn about $97,503 annually.
Florida State University landed the #13 spot for physics salaries this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Physics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of about $76,659 a year early in their careers.
Allegheny College placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career physics graduates from Allegheny College make a median of around $75,370 per year.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Physics graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $104,149 a year early in their careers.
University Of Florida placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from University Of Florida typically earn about $71,362 annually.
Portland State University came in at #17 for physics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a public institution. Early-career physics graduates from Portland State University make a median of around $84,248 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #18 for physics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of about $70,150 a year early in their careers.
University Of Oregon earned the #19 position for physics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $107,276.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,433.
Salisbury University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Salisbury University is a public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. After graduating, physics degree recipients from Salisbury University typically earn about $86,468 annually.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse typically earn about $84,403 annually.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #23 spot for physics salaries this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University typically earn about $78,349 annually.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #24 spot for physics salaries this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,500.
California State University San Marcos ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. California State University San Marcos is a public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,480.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning physics graduates:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their physics graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 88 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
