Best Schools for Engineering Physics

Engineering Physics graduates earn a median of $88,822 within four years of graduating, ranking #45 out of 283 tracked majors — 42% above the median across all fields. There are 12 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 200 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn $102,211 while Grace College and Theological Seminary graduates earn $74,337 — a $27,874 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is strong: Engineering Physics graduates see an average 17% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$88,822

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#45

of 283 Majors

200

Graduates

Public vs Private: Engineering Physics

Public (8 schools)

$90,558

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (4 schools)

$86,220

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Engineering Physics, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Engineering Physics by State

Top Engineering Physics Schools by Graduate Earnings

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · Public

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, FL · Private

$94,084

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

1yr: $58,469 (17)

Acceptance: 66.3%

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

$90,938

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

1yr: $62,238 (16)

Acceptance: 50.8%

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private

$90,465

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

1yr: $53,359 (21)

Acceptance: 56.3%

Murray State University

Murray, KY · Public

$86,713

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

2yr: $47,260 (13)

1yr: $59,115 (23)

Acceptance: 86.2%

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private

$85,993

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 67.7%

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Platteville, WI · Public

Stephen F Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX · Public

$80,086

4yr Earnings

26 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 88.3%

#10

Grace College and Theological Seminary

Winona Lake, IN · Private

$74,337

4yr Earnings

25 grads · small sample

1yr: $50,159 (24)

Acceptance: 80.8%

#11

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public

$42,682

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 84.8%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Computer and Information Sciences, General $57,752 Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians $57,746 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $57,684 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $57,509 Agricultural Engineering $57,241 Statistics $57,053

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Engineering Physics?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks #1 for Engineering Physics with median graduate earnings of $102,211 within four years of graduating. There are 12 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Engineering Physics graduates earn?

Engineering Physics graduates earn an average of $88,822 within four years of graduating. This is 42% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $74,337 to $102,211 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Engineering Physics program?

The average acceptance rate across Engineering Physics programs is 71.2%. The most selective program is at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a 43.7% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Engineering Physics?

Private Engineering Physics programs average $86,220 in early earnings vs $90,558 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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