Physical Sciences programs produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $24,908 to $143,372. Across 221 programs, the variation in median earnings demonstrates why program selection matters significantly for career trajectories in physics, chemistry, and related fields.
Leading the list is Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, achieving the highest program earnings at $166,156. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute follows at $88,071, while University Of Notre Dame rounds out the top tier at $87,137, demonstrating how top-performing programs deliver exceptional graduate outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Baton Rouge, LA | $68,709 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $14,035 | 74.0% | 71.0% | |
| #22 | Gustavus Adolphus CollegePrivate | Saint Peter, MN | $68,674 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $15,799 | 61.8% | 75.8% |
| #23 | Le Moyne CollegePrivate | Syracuse, NY | $68,501 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $15,335 | 75.3% | 71.0% |
| #24 | Santa Barbara, CA | $68,383 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $7,745 | 27.8% | 85.3% | |
| #25 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $68,215 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $1,026 | 5.9% | 96.8% |
| #26 | University Of IndianapolisPrivate | Indianapolis, IN | $67,717 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $14,352 | 72.8% | 55.8% |
| #27 | Duluth, MN | $66,981 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $6,393 | 81.8% | 64.5% | |
| #28 | Davis, CA | $66,800 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $8,594 | 41.6% | 85.1% | |
| #29 | La Crosse, WI | $66,021 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $6,798 | 73.3% | 71.2% | |
| #30 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | Stony Brook, NY | $65,501 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $12,744 | 49.0% | 77.8% |
| #31 | University Park, PA | $65,407 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $18,032 | 80.3% | 85.7% | |
| #32 | Sacramento, CA | $65,187 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $7,306 | 93.6% | 55.8% | |
| #33 | La Jolla, CA | $64,699 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $7,487 | 24.5% | 87.6% | |
| #34 | Allegheny CollegePrivate | Meadville, PA | $64,070 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $12,227 | 58.5% | 66.5% |
| #35 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $63,839 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $8,460 | 11.4% | 92.5% |
| #36 | Wayne, NJ | $63,767 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $15,420 | 92.5% | 47.7% | |
| #37 | University Of HoustonPublic | Houston, TX | $63,710 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $10,327 | 69.5% | 64.9% |
| #38 | Portland, OR | $63,499 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $11,558 | 90.9% | 53.1% | |
| #39 | Cleveland, OH | $63,474 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $19,510 | 28.7% | 87.0% | |
| #40 | Jonesboro, AR | $63,165 Median Physical Sciences Earnings | $9,806 | 69.7% | 55.1% |
