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Doctor's Degree in Physics

Doctor’s Degrees in Physics

2,046 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Median Salary
22% Women
There are 192 schools in the United States where you can get your doctor's degree in physics. In recent years, the majority of the students getting degrees in this area were male, and 13 were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 45.3% of physics graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Physics Majors

During the most recent year for which data is available, 2,046 people earned their doctor's degree in physics. This earns it the #16 spot on the list of the most popular doctor's degree programs in the nation.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in physics at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Bachelor’s Degree 7,715
Master’s Degree 2,152
Doctor’s Degree 2,046
Associate Degree 1,298
Graduate Certificate 56
Basic Certificate 38
Undergraduate Certificate 1

Earnings of Physics Majors With Doctor’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a doctor's degree in physics is $99,494. 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 $86,889 and the high is $107,615.

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Student Debt

We do not have the data to estimate the median debt for this class of people.

Student Diversity

More men than women pursue doctor's degrees in physics. About 78.5% of graduates in this field are male.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 1,606
Women 440
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The racial-ethnic distribution of physics doctor’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 123
Black or African American 25
Hispanic or Latino 91
White 787
International Students 926
Other Races/Ethnicities 94
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There are 192 colleges that offer a doctor’s degree in physics. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
43 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
33% Women

The most popular school in the United States for physics students seekinga doctor's degree is Harvard University. Each year, around 30,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,269 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $54,032 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 43 people received their doctor's degree in physics from Harvard. Around 31% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 33% were women. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at Harvard University make a median salary of 99,494.

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
41 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
22% Women

Stanford University is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physics. Roughly 15,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $61,731 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,746 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 41 people received their doctor's degree in physics from Stanford. Around 30% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 22% were women. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at Stanford University make a median salary of 99,494.

#3

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
39 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
31% Women

The 3rd most popular school in the country for physics majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of California - Berkeley. Each year, around 42,300 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, 39 people received their doctor's degree in physics from UC Berkeley. Of these students, 31% were women and 26% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UC Berkeley graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $99,494.

#4

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
37 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
17% Women

The 4th most popular school in the country for physics majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Each year, around 11,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,750 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $59,750 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 37 people received their doctor's degree in physics from MIT. Around 17% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 17% were women. Data shows that MIT graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $99,494.

#5

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
36 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
21% Women

University of Arizona is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physics. Roughly 45,600 attend the school each year. 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, 36 people received their doctor's degree in physics from University of Arizona. About 21% of this group were women, and 13% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at University of Arizona make a median salary of 99,494.

32 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
17% Women

The 6th most popular school in the country for physics majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Roughly 52,600 attend the school each year. 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, 32 people received their doctor's degree in physics from UIUC. About 17% of this group were women, and 23% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UIUC graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $99,494.

#7

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
31 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
15% Women

The 7th most popular school in the country for physics majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of Colorado Boulder. Each year, around 37,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 31 people received their doctor's degree in physics from CU - Boulder. Of these students, 15% were women and 12% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at University of Colorado Boulder make a median salary of 99,494.

29 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
20% Women

University of Washington - Seattle Campus is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physics. Each year, around 48,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 29 people received their doctor's degree in physics from UW Seattle. Of these students, 20% were women and 15% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of Washington - Seattle Campus physics graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $99,494.

#9

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
28 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
19% Women

The 9th most popular school in the country for physics majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Roughly 47,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $17,977 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $27,192 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 28 people received their doctor's degree in physics from U-M. Of these students, 19% were women and 34% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor make a median salary of 99,494.

27 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
24% Women

Ohio State University - Main Campus comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physics. Each year, around 61,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 27 people received their doctor's degree in physics from Ohio State. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 24% were women. Ohio State University - Main Campus physics graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $99,494.

#10

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
27 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
24% Women

The 10th most popular school in the country for physics majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of Wisconsin - Madison. Each year, around 44,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. 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, 27 people received their doctor's degree in physics from UW - Madison. About 24% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Wisconsin - Madison physics graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $99,494.

#12

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
24 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
13% Women

University of Maryland - College Park is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physics. Roughly 40,700 attend the school each year. 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, 24 people received their doctor's degree in physics from UMCP. About 13% of this group were women, and 13% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at University of Maryland - College Park make a median salary of 99,494.

#13

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
23 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
21% Women

University of California - Los Angeles is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physics. Each year, around 44,500 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, 23 people received their doctor's degree in physics from UCLA. About 21% of this group were women, and 36% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at University of California - Los Angeles make a median salary of 99,494.

#13

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
23 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
22% Women

The 13th most popular school in the country for physics majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is Michigan State University. Roughly 49,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $20,808 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 23 people received their doctor's degree in physics from Michigan State. About 22% of this group were women, and 7% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Michigan State University physics graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $99,494.

#15

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
22 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
13% Women

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physics. Roughly 52,000 attend the school each year. 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, 22 people received their doctor's degree in physics from UMN Twin Cities. Around 17% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 13% were women. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities make a median salary of 99,494.

#15

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York
22 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
26% Women

University of Rochester comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in physics. Roughly 11,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $63,150 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,083 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 22 people received their doctor's degree in physics from University of Rochester. About 26% of this group were women, and 10% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at University of Rochester make a median salary of 99,494.

#17

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
21 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
21% Women

The 17th most popular school in the country for physics majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is California Institute of Technology. Each year, around 2,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,816 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $60,816 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 21 people received their doctor's degree in physics from Caltech. California Institute of Technology physics graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $99,494.

#17

Rice University

Houston, Texas
21 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
10% Women

Rice University is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physics. Roughly 7,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $57,210 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $53,712 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 21 people received their doctor's degree in physics from Rice. About 10% of this group were women, and 10% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at Rice University make a median salary of 99,494.

#17

University of California - San Diego

La Jolla, California
21 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
29% Women

University of California - San Diego is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in physics. Roughly 39,500 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, 21 people received their doctor's degree in physics from UCSD. Around 19% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 29% were women. Data shows that UCSD graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $99,494.

#20

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
20 Yearly Graduations
$99,494 Average Salary
21% Women

The 20th most popular school in the country for physics majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is Cornell University. Each year, around 23,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $65,204 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $29,500 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 20 people received their doctor's degree in physics from Cornell. Around 14% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 21% were women. Those who complete their doctor's degree in physics at Cornell University make a median salary of 99,494.

Below are some popular majors that are similar to physics that offer doctor’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Chemistry 3,103
Geological & Earth Sciences 766
Astronomy & Astrophysics 259
Materials Sciences 209
Atmospheric Sciences 136

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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