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 18 schools to find where physics graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send physics graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is James Madison University, our #1 for physics graduate salaries in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from James Madison University typically earn about $93,914 annually.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Atlanta. Early-career physics graduates from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus make a median of around $81,584 per year.
West Virginia Wesleyan College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Physics graduates of West Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of about $80,917 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for physics. Florida State University is a public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Physics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of about $76,659 a year early in their careers.
University Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. University Of Florida is a public school located in the city of Gainesville. Early-career physics graduates from University Of Florida make a median of around $71,362 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,150.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #7 position for physics graduate earnings this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school located in the city of Blacksburg. After graduating, physics degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University typically earn about $78,349 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #8 for physics graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Early-career physics graduates from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill make a median of around $62,647 per year.
Georgia College And State University earned the #9 position for physics graduate earnings this year. Georgia College And State University is a public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Early-career physics graduates from Georgia College And State University make a median of around $62,478 per year.
University Of North Florida landed the #10 spot for physics salaries this year. University Of North Florida is a public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Physics graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of about $59,535 a year early in their careers.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #11 for physics graduate earnings this year. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Magnolia. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,870.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #12 position for physics graduate earnings this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Tampa. Physics graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of about $78,010 a year early in their careers.
Appalachian State University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Physics graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of about $61,858 a year early in their careers.
University Of Central Florida earned the #14 position for physics graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Physics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of about $55,826 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Military Institute ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,641.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh typically earn about $43,740 annually.
Georgia State University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Georgia State University is a public school located in the city of Atlanta. Early-career physics graduates from Georgia State University make a median of around $57,198 per year.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for physics. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University typically earn about $39,804 annually.
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 · 18 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.