by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Optics/Optical Sciences explores Optics/optical Sciences. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Light Energy, Including Its Structure, Properties And Behavior Under Different Conditions. Includes Instruction In Wave Theory, Wave Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Physical Optics, Geometric Optics, Quantum Theory Of Light, Photon Detecting, Laser Theory, Wall And Beam Properties, Chaotic Light, Non-Linear Optics, Harmonic Generation, Optical Systems Theory, And Applications To Engineering Problems. Examples: [Electro-Optics], [Atmospheric And Space Optics]. Continue reading for the essential details every optics/optical sciences student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering optics/optical sciences programs.
Across the country, optics/optical sciences draws strong interest, with 249 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Optics/Optical Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 16 schools to determine the best overall colleges for optics/optical sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of optics/optical sciences programs later in this article.
Studies in Optics/Optical Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations optics/optical sciences graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a optics/optical sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a optics/optical sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several optics/optical 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 45 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 135 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 69 |
People currently working in careers related to optics/optical sciences 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 optics/optical sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying optics/optical sciences can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to optics/optical sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to optics/optical sciences.
| 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 optics/optical sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 optics/optical sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers optics/optical sciences 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 16 different optics/optical sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased optics/optical sciences school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in optics/optical sciences, 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 |
| Acoustics | 175 |
| Theoretical and Mathematical Physics | 37 |
| Condensed Matter and Materials Physics | 8 |
| Atomic/Molecular Physics | 6 |
| Elementary Particle Physics | 6 |
| Nuclear Physics | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
