by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Physical Science explores Physical Sciences, General. A Program That Focuses On The Major Topics, Concepts, Processes, And Interrelationships Of Physical Phenomena As Studied In Any Combination Of Physical Science Disciplines. Read on to learn the important information every physical science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering physical science programs.
Nationwide, physical science is a popular field of study, with 2,661 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Physical Science Schools ranking analyzes these 135 schools to determine the best overall colleges for physical science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of physical science programs later in this article.
Studies in Physical Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations physical science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a physical science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a physical science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several physical science 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 physical science 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 physical science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in physical science can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to physical science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to physical science.
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of physical science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 physical science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers physical science 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 physical science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased physical science school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
