by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Physical Sciences provides a solid background in the physical sciences, often with a focus in chemistry or physics. This is an interdisciplinary major that is great preparation for a career as a science teacher, or other science related jobs.
General Physical Sciences is different from other majors in that its focus is on a broad education, rather than a specific area. Some of the classes students will take include chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy, thermodynamics, earth science and others. A bachelor's degree is usually not enough education for a career specific to the various science fields. However, it is excellent preparation for teaching, work as a lab technician or graduate studies.
Studying General Physical Sciences covers Physical Sciences, General. Continue reading for the key facts every general physical sciences student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general physical sciences programs.
Across the country, general physical sciences is a popular field of study, with 2,661 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Physical Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 135 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general physical sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general physical sciences programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Physical Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general physical sciences graduates commonly enter.
This major is focused on the study of the physical elements of our world. Students should not be afraid of advanced science or math classes. They should have a scientific, objective mind and enjoy observing elements, performing experiments and making discoveries.
Your classes will involve time spent in the lecture halls as well as plenty of lab work. You will usually work in pairs or groups performing experiments and writing lab reports documenting your findings. Students should be detail oriented and creative when performing research and writing papers. Good communication and teamwork skills will help you when preparing group presentations, as well as in a future career.
The skill set emphasized by a general physical sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general physical sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general physical sciences 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,241 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 364 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 43 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 13 |
People currently working in careers related to general physical sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 63.6% |
| Master’s degree | 8.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 3.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general physical sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Most students who pursue a major in General Physical Sciences are interested in teaching at the secondary level. They can become physics, chemistry or general science teachers. Some choose to continue their education with a graduate degree in the same field or in a specialized area. For those not interested in teaching, graduates can obtain jobs as lab technicians, conservationists, forestry technicians, wildlife management and other science-related work. Salary will depend on your career choice and education level.
Studying general physical sciences opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general physical sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general physical sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general physical sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,769 |
| 4 years | $39,802 |
| 5 years | $49,400 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general physical sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general physical sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
With 135 different general physical sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general physical sciences school rankings to help you.
Those considering general physical sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Sciences, General | 2,661 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 19,434 |
| Physics | 12,910 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 7,622 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1,580 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 1,341 |
| Materials Sciences | 650 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 422 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 39 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
