Best Schools for Physical Sciences

Physical Sciences graduates earn a median of $71,179 within four years of graduating, ranking #76 out of 283 tracked majors — 14% above the median across all fields. There are 5 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 130 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Villanova University graduates earn $80,302 while Arizona State University Campus Immersion graduates earn $64,456 — a $15,846 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.

Schools

$71,179

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#76

of 283 Majors

130

Graduates

Public vs Private: Physical Sciences

Public (3 schools)

$66,619

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (2 schools)

$80,302

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $13,683 more in early earnings on average for Physical Sciences graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Physical Sciences by State

Top Physical Sciences Schools by Graduate Earnings

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private

$80,302

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $33,281 (18)

Acceptance: 25.1%

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

New York, NY · Public

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

$63,005

2yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

1yr: $74,681 (16)

Grads: 16

Acceptance: 71.4%

University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public

$52,107

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 44.8%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Educational/Instructional Media Design $52,099 Real Estate $50,946 Finance and Financial Management Services $50,463 Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians $50,439 Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications $49,941 Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians $49,118

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Physical Sciences?

Villanova University ranks #1 for Physical Sciences with median graduate earnings of $80,302 within four years of graduating. There are 5 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Physical Sciences graduates earn?

Physical Sciences graduates earn an average of $71,179 within four years of graduating. This is 14% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $64,456 to $80,302 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Physical Sciences program?

The average acceptance rate across Physical Sciences programs is 57.8%. The most selective program is at Villanova University with a 25.1% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Physical Sciences?

Private Physical Sciences programs average $80,302 in early earnings vs $66,619 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

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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