Bachelor’s Degrees in Physical Sciences
Education Levels of Physical Sciences Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 28,585 people earned their bachelor's degree in physical sciences. This makes it the 18th most popular bachelor's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in physical sciences at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 28,585 |
| Master’s Degree | 7,174 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 6,581 |
| Associate Degree | 4,829 |
| Basic Certificate | 258 |
| Graduate Certificate | 256 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 26 |
Earnings of Physical Sciences Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in physical sciences is $41,811. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $36,891 and the high is $46,641.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in physical sciences is $36,258. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $44,875 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $22,878.
Student Diversity
More men than women pursue bachelor's degrees in physical sciences. About 55.3% of graduates in this field are male.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 15,804 |
| Women | 12,781 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of physical sciences bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 2,783 |
| Black or African American | 1,426 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3,811 |
| White | 16,387 |
| International Students | 2,025 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 2,153 |
Most Popular Physical Sciences Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 1,193 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in physical sciences. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
University of Washington - Seattle Campus tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for physical sciences majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Roughly 48,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,524 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $17,514 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 420 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UW Seattle. About 41% of this group were women, and 33% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UW Seattle graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $41,811.
University of California - San Diego is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in physical sciences. Each year, around 39,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 410 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UCSD. Around 59% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 47% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of California - San Diego make a median salary of 41,811.
Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 0 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $19,672 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,956 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 370 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from Penn State University Park. Around 19% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 30% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus make a median salary of 41,811.
University of California - Berkeley comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 42,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 357 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UC Berkeley. Of these students, 42% were women and 49% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of California - Berkeley physical sciences graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $41,811.
University of California - Santa Barbara is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in physical sciences. Each year, around 26,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 296 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UCSB. Around 43% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 34% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of California - Santa Barbara make a median salary of 41,811.
University of California - Santa Cruz comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 19,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 274 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UC Santa Cruz. Around 53% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 45% were women. University of California - Santa Cruz physical sciences graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $41,811.
University of California - Irvine is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in physical sciences. Each year, around 36,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 266 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UC Irvine. About 37% of this group were women, and 65% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of California - Irvine make a median salary of 41,811.
The University of Texas at Austin comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 50,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 266 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UT Austin. Of these students, 43% were women and 46% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UT Austin graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $41,811.
The 9th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Each year, around 52,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,768 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,545 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 252 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UIUC. Around 37% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 40% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign make a median salary of 41,811.
University of Colorado Boulder comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 37,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,910 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,849 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 241 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from CU - Boulder. Of these students, 32% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of Colorado Boulder physical sciences graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $41,811.
The 11th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Florida. Each year, around 53,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,477 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,770 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 229 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UF. Of these students, 51% were women and 44% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UF graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $41,811.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in physical sciences. Each year, around 30,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,019 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,552 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 226 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UNC Chapel Hill. Of these students, 47% were women and 37% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill make a median salary of 41,811.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in physical sciences. Each year, around 52,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,496 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,116 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 212 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UMN Twin Cities. About 38% of this group were women, and 15% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities make a median salary of 41,811.
University of Wisconsin - Madison is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in physical sciences. Roughly 44,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,644 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,728 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 208 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UW - Madison. About 30% of this group were women, and 9% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Wisconsin - Madison physical sciences graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $41,811.
University of California - Los Angeles is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in physical sciences. Roughly 44,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 201 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UCLA. Around 49% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 38% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of California - Los Angeles make a median salary of 41,811.
The 16th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Texas A&M University - College Station. Each year, around 70,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,003 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,885 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 190 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from Texas A&M College Station. Of these students, 39% were women and 40% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Texas A&M University - College Station physical sciences graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $41,811.
The 17th most popular school in the country for physical sciences majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Ohio State University - Main Campus. Roughly 61,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,826 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,515 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 189 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from Ohio State. Of these students, 34% were women and 18% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at Ohio State University - Main Campus make a median salary of 41,811.
University of Arizona is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in physical sciences. Each year, around 45,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,546 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,718 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 184 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from University of Arizona. About 30% of this group were women, and 27% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of Arizona make a median salary of 41,811.
University of Maryland - College Park comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in physical sciences. Each year, around 40,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,889 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,560 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 183 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from UMCP. About 35% of this group were women, and 30% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of Maryland - College Park make a median salary of 41,811.
Stony Brook University comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in physical sciences. Roughly 26,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,310 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 182 people received their bachelor's degree in physical sciences from SUNY Stony Brook. About 34% of this group were women, and 37% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in physical sciences at Stony Brook University make a median salary of 41,811.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to physical sciences that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 135,792 |
| Engineering | 121,318 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 29,912 |
| Natural Resources & Conservation | 22,202 |
| Agriculture | 21,049 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By NASA under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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