by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 9 U.S. colleges awarded 37 degrees and certificates in Theoretical & Mathematical Physics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 57% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $50,584 one year after completing, rising to $85,749 after four years.
Studying Theoretical & Mathematical Physics involves the study of Theoretical And Mathematical Physics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific And Mathematical Formulation And Evaluation Of The Physical Laws Governing, And Models Describing, Matter-Energy Phenomena, And The Analysis Of Related Experimental Designs And Results. Includes Instruction In Classical And Quantum Theory, Relativity Theory, Field Theory, Mathematics Of Infinite Series, Vector And Coordinate Analysis, Wave And Particle Theory, Advanced Applied Calculus And Geometry, Analyses Of Continuum, Cosmology, And Statistical Theory And Analysis.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., theoretical & mathematical physics draws strong interest, with 37 degrees awarded annually. 9 colleges award theoretical & mathematical physics degrees, an average of 4 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 15.
By level, the 37 awards include 21 bachelor’s degrees and 16 master’s degrees.
Women earned 32% of theoretical & mathematical physics degrees and certificates in the latest year (12 of 37). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (21) and Hispanic or Latino (3), and international students earned 9.
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools ranking. It also ranks theoretical & mathematical physics schools within 1 state. In all, 9 colleges offer theoretical & mathematical physics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common theoretical & mathematical physics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 21 of the 37 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to theoretical & mathematical physics call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
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How long a theoretical & mathematical physics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 21 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 16 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to theoretical & mathematical physics, at 32.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.0% |
| Master’s degree | 14.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Theoretical & Mathematical Physics, with an average median salary of $123,067; the strongest outlook belongs to Physics Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Trials Manager, Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator and Clinical Study Manager.
The occupation related to theoretical & mathematical physics with the most projected jobs is Clinical Research Coordinators, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | 415,392 | 14.3% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Physicists | 118,738 | 8.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates earn a median $50,584 one year after completing their program, $85,749 after four years and $87,663 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $50,584 |
| 4 years | $85,749 |
| 5 years | $87,663 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to theoretical & mathematical physics is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Physicists | $111,776 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,685 |
Theoretical & Mathematical Physics has 8 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 13,892 degrees a year; the largest are Physics, General (12,923), Physics, Other (480) and Optics/Optical Sciences (267). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physics, General | 12,923 |
| Physics, Other | 480 |
| Optics/Optical Sciences | 267 |
| Acoustics | 189 |
| Atomic/Molecular Physics | 12 |
| Elementary Particle Physics | 12 |
| Condensed Matter and Materials Physics | 5 |
| Nuclear Physics | 4 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
