by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the early-career earnings of their physics graduates.
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Below are the schools whose physics graduates go on to earn the most.
Texas State University San Marcos tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying physics schools in Texas. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school located in the city of San Marcos. Early-career physics graduates from Texas State University San Marcos make a median of around $101,450 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #2 place for physics. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of about $92,183 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Texas Tech University earned it the #3 place for physics. Texas Tech University is a public school located in the city of Lubbock. After graduating, physics degree recipients from Texas Tech University typically earn about $57,435 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in physics will find them at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #4. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school located in the city of College Station. Physics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of about $53,329 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Arlington one of the highest-paying schools for physics. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Early-career physics graduates from The University Of Texas At Arlington make a median of around $79,646 per year.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #6 spot for physics salaries this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students who complete the physics program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,328.
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.