by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Theoretical & Mathematical Physics involves the study of Theoretical And Mathematical Physics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific And Mathematical Formulation And Evaluation Of The Physical Laws Governing, And Models Describing, Matter-Energy Phenomena, And The Analysis Of Related Experimental Designs And Results. Includes Instruction In Classical And Quantum Theory, Relativity Theory, Field Theory, Mathematics Of Infinite Series, Vector And Coordinate Analysis, Wave And Particle Theory, Advanced Applied Calculus And Geometry, Analyses Of Continuum, Cosmology, And Statistical Theory And Analysis. Read on to learn the essential details every theoretical & mathematical physics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering theoretical & mathematical physics programs.
In the U.S., theoretical & mathematical physics draws strong interest, with 37 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools ranking analyzes these 7 schools to determine the best overall colleges for theoretical & mathematical physics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of theoretical & mathematical physics programs later in this article.
Programs in Theoretical & Mathematical Physics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations theoretical & mathematical physics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a theoretical & mathematical physics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a theoretical & mathematical physics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several theoretical & mathematical 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 | 27 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to theoretical & mathematical 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 theoretical & mathematical physics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in theoretical & mathematical physics opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to theoretical & mathematical physics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to theoretical & mathematical 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 theoretical & mathematical physics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 theoretical & mathematical physics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers theoretical & mathematical 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 7 different theoretical & mathematical physics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased theoretical & mathematical physics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in theoretical & mathematical 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 |
| Condensed Matter and Materials Physics | 8 |
| Atomic/Molecular Physics | 6 |
| Elementary Particle Physics | 6 |
| Nuclear Physics | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
