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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find where physics graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose physics graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Massachusetts Institute Of Technology the top school for physics graduate earnings in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Physics graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of about $126,258 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Northeastern University one of the highest-paying schools for physics. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. After graduating, physics degree recipients from Northeastern University typically earn about $49,399 annually.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell produces some of the highest-paid graduates in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell typically earn about $48,324 annually.
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 · 3 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.