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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the early-career earnings of their physics graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose physics graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. After graduating, physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte typically earn about $70,150 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #2 place for physics. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill typically earn about $62,647 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Appalachian State University earned it the #3 place for physics. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. After graduating, physics degree recipients from Appalachian State University typically earn about $61,858 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in physics will find them at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #4. Set 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.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries physics graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 4 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.