by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a physics degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find where physics graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose physics graduates go on to earn the most.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools in the Far Western Region. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. After graduating, physics degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo typically earn about $114,864 annually.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Davis one of the highest-paying schools for physics. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Physics graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of about $80,618 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the highest-paying schools for physics. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Early-career physics graduates from University Of California Santa Barbara make a median of around $104,149 per year.
Portland State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. 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 California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,500.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Physics graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $74,433 a year early in their careers.
California State University San Marcos placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from California State University San Marcos typically earn about $80,480 annually.
Whitworth University earned the #8 position for physics graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,316.
University Of California San Diego ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Early-career physics graduates from University Of California San Diego make a median of around $84,411 per year.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #10 for physics graduate earnings this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Bothell. After graduating, physics degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus typically earn about $82,775 annually.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #11 spot for physics salaries this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,775.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. Physics graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $57,114 a year early in their careers.
California State University Long Beach landed the #13 spot for physics salaries this year. California State University Long Beach is a public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,330.
Central Washington University landed the #14 spot for physics salaries this year. Central Washington University is a public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Early-career physics graduates from Central Washington University make a median of around $56,540 per year.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #15 position for physics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $50,219 annually.
Oregon State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. Physics graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of about $48,169 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Irvine landed the #17 spot for physics salaries this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,144.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for physics. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,859.
University Of California Riverside earned the #19 position for physics graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $19,977.
This list is compiled 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 · 19 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.
