Physics Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature.
Starting Salary
$62K
median
Mid-Career
$105K
salary
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.8%
rate
Physics Overview
Study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
65%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
20%
Lifetime Premium
$750K
Female Graduates
25%
Physics Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,900
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,900
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$731,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($750,000) minus net degree cost ($18,900)
Physics Salary Progression
Common Physics Careers
Physicist
Research Scientist
Lab Engineer
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Physics
#1
MIT
#2
Caltech
#3
Stanford
#4
Princeton
#5
Harvard
Related Majors
Physics Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Physics Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for physics programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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