by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Nuclear Physics covers Nuclear Physics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Properties And Behavior Of Atomic Nuclei. Includes Instruction In Nuclear Reaction Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Energy Conservation, Nuclear Fission And Fusion, Strong And Weak Forces, Nuclear Modeling, Nuclear Decay, Nucleon Scattering, Pairing, Photon And Electron Reactions, The Physics Of Nuclear Effects, Statistical Methods, And Research Equipment Operation And Maintenance. Examples: [Nuclear Effects]. Continue reading for the essential details every nuclear physics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering nuclear physics programs.
Nationwide, nuclear physics is a popular field of study, with 3 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Nuclear Physics Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for nuclear physics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of nuclear physics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Nuclear Physics develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations nuclear physics graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a nuclear physics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a nuclear physics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several nuclear physics 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 | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to nuclear physics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in nuclear physics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in nuclear physics prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to nuclear physics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nuclear physics.
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of nuclear physics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $50,456 |
| 4 years | $75,002 |
| 5 years | $86,291 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for nuclear physics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers nuclear physics 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 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,685 |
With 2 different nuclear physics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased nuclear physics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in nuclear physics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physics, General | 11,944 |
| Physics, Other | 482 |
| Optics/Optical Sciences | 249 |
| Acoustics | 175 |
| Theoretical and Mathematical Physics | 37 |
| Condensed Matter and Materials Physics | 8 |
| Atomic/Molecular Physics | 6 |
| Elementary Particle Physics | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
