by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Physics and Astronomy covers A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Theories That Explain The Fundamental Structure Of Our World And The Universe And Which Draws From Physics And Astronomy. Includes Instruction In Astronomy, Calculus, Cosmology, Differential Equations, Electricity, Magnetism, Data Analysis, Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Space Science, Spectroscopy, And Thermal Physics. Read on to learn the important information every physics and astronomy student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering physics and astronomy programs.
Nationwide, physics and astronomy is a widely-pursued major, with 39 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Physics and Astronomy Schools ranking analyzes these 4 schools to determine the best overall colleges for physics and astronomy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of physics and astronomy programs later in this article.
Studies in Physics and Astronomy emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations physics and astronomy graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a physics and astronomy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a physics and astronomy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several physics and astronomy 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 | 14 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 16 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 9 |
People currently working in careers related to physics and astronomy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 27.4% |
| Master’s degree | 23.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 21.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.0% |
| Some college courses | 2.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in physics and astronomy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in physics and astronomy can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to physics and astronomy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to physics and astronomy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | 415,392 | 14.3% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Astronomers | 130,193 | 8.3% |
| Physicists | 118,738 | 8.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Salaries for physics and astronomy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers physics and astronomy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Physicists | $111,776 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Astronomers | $106,445 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,685 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
With 4 different physics and astronomy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased physics and astronomy school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
