by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Physics Education involves the study of Physics Teacher Education. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach Physics Programs At Various Educational Levels. Continue reading for the important information every physics education student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering physics education programs.
Nationwide, physics education draws strong interest, with 114 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Physics Education Schools ranking analyzes these 41 schools to determine the best overall colleges for physics education students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of physics education programs later in this article.
Coursework for Physics Education build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations physics education graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a physics education program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a physics education major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several physics education degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 42 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 72 |
People currently working in careers related to physics education tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 62.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 18.9% |
| Master’s degree | 10.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.0% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in physics education careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying physics education can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to physics education.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to physics education.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | 415,392 | 14.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of physics education graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,919 |
| 4 years | $50,204 |
| 5 years | $56,331 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for physics education graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers physics education grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,685 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
With 41 different physics education programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased physics education school rankings to help you.
Students interested in physics education, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 6,964 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 5,986 |
| Music Teacher Education | 4,544 |
| English/Language Arts Teacher Education | 3,018 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 2,993 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other | 2,352 |
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 1,963 |
| Art Teacher Education | 1,860 |
| Health Teacher Education | 1,472 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education | 1,051 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
