by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Other Physics covers Physics, Other. Any Instructional Program In Physics Not Listed Above. Examples: [Electrodynamics]. Read on to learn the key facts every other physics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering other physics programs.
Across the country, other physics is a widely-pursued major, with 482 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Other Physics Schools ranking analyzes these 54 schools to determine the best overall colleges for other physics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of other physics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Other Physics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations other physics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a other physics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a other physics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several other 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 | 244 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 169 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 69 |
People currently working in careers related to other 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 other physics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in other physics opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to other physics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to other 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of other physics 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 other physics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers other 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 54 different other physics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased other physics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in other 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 |
| 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 |
| Nuclear Physics | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
