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 schools below stand out for the salaries their physics graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying physics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose physics graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, our #1 for physics graduate salaries in California. 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.
University Of California Davis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. University Of California Davis is a public school located in the suburb of Davis. Early-career physics graduates from University Of California Davis make a median of around $80,618 per year.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara typically earn about $104,149 annually.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 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. Early-career physics graduates from University Of California Los Angeles make a median of around $80,500 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in physics will find them at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona typically earn about $74,433 annually.
California State University San Marcos placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for physics. California State University San Marcos is a public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. After graduating, physics degree recipients from California State University San Marcos typically earn about $80,480 annually.
University Of California San Diego earned the #7 position for physics graduate earnings this year. Located 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.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #8 spot for physics salaries this year. California State University San Bernardino is a public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,114.
California State University Long Beach earned the #9 position for physics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,330.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,219.
University Of California Irvine landed the #11 spot for physics salaries this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Early-career physics graduates from University Of California Irvine make a median of around $43,144 per year.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #12 position for physics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. Early-career physics graduates from University Of California Santa Cruz make a median of around $37,859 per year.
University Of California Riverside came in at #13 for physics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Early-career physics graduates from University Of California Riverside make a median of around $19,977 per year.
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 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.
