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 highest-paying schools turn a physics degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying physics schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send physics graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Brigham Young University Provo the top school for physics graduate earnings in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Physics graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of about $97,503 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Colorado Boulder one of the highest-paying schools for physics. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Early-career physics graduates from University Of Colorado Boulder make a median of around $69,490 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Colorado State University Fort Collins earned it the #3 place for physics. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins typically earn about $51,927 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Boise State University earned it the #4 place for physics. Boise State University is a public school located in the city of Boise. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,813.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Utah earned it the #5 place for physics. University Of Utah is a public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Physics graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of about $38,748 a year early in their careers.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Early-career physics graduates from University Of Northern Colorado make a median of around $34,373 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 · 6 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.