Intelligence Brief Sciences Sector
Physics
Bachelor's · 4 years
C
Scorecard
- $142,850
- Median salary
- 5%
- Projected growth
- 50/100
- Difficulty
- 6
- Career paths
AI Resilience 62
Overall Score 56
CollegeRanker Degree Outlook Score™
53
out of 100 · B-
Solid Outlook
Composite of earnings, projected growth, demand gap, AI resilience, career breadth, and remote flexibility — CollegeRanker's proprietary degree outlook model.
Supply vs Demand
BalancedMarket Demand48
Graduate Supply52
Supply and demand roughly aligned — projected 5% occupational growth (as fast as average).
Salary Trajectory
~1.8%/yrModeled from BLS median wage and occupational growth. Dashed bars are forecast. Illustrative, not a guarantee.
Where Graduates Work
Common Employers
- Pfizer
- Merck
- Genentech
- National Labs
- Thermo Fisher
- Regeneron
Representative employers that commonly hire Sciences graduates — illustrative of where graduates concentrate, not a guarantee.
Industry Mix
- Pharma & Biotech 33%
- Research & Labs 24%
- Healthcare 16%
- Government 14%
- Other 13%
Estimated distribution of Sciences graduates across hiring industries.
Executive Summary
- Physics scores 56/100 (C), reflecting a balanced profile among bachelor's programs.
- Median salary of $142,850 places this degree among the top earners nationally for bachelor's programs.
- Projected growth of 5% is below the national average.
- AI resilience score of 62 indicates moderate disruption risk across associated careers.
Physics scores 56/100 — C. The strongest dimension is salary (71/100), followed by remote potential (35/100). The biggest challenge: growth (18/100).
Research Insights
- Conditional Future-proof
Physics is conditionally future-proof (52/100). The degree offers solid fundamentals but growth in some career pathways is slower than average. Strategic specialization can strengthen long-term positioning.
Score 52 /100 - Decent ROI
Physics offers a moderate ROI (65/100). Salary outcomes are competitive but the path to maximum earning requires additional credentials or specialization.
Score 65 /100 - Moderate Career Breadth
Physics offers moderate career breadth (64/100). The 6 identified career paths provide options, but mobility across fields may require additional credentials or experience.
Score 64 /100
Decision Intelligence
Physics offers solid potential but requires strategic execution — the right concentration, school, and internships matter significantly to the outcome.
Who Benefits Most
Students who are targeting high-earning careers and meet the academic prerequisites. Students who pair this degree with internships and networking outperform peers. The moderate AI risk makes it important to specialize.
Who Should Think Twice
Individuals who dislike rigorous mathematics or theoretical concepts may find this degree challenging. Additionally, those seeking immediate financial returns or job security may be disappointed, as many physics roles require advanced degrees or extensive experience.
Student Archetypes
- The Aspiring Scientist Recommended
This student is passionate about understanding the fundamental laws of nature and aims to contribute to scientific research or innovation.
- The Career Switcher Conditional
This student is transitioning from another field and seeks the analytical rigor of physics to enhance their career opportunities.
- The Practical Thinker Not Recommended
This student prefers hands-on work and may struggle with theoretical concepts, making this degree a less ideal choice.
Economic Importance
A Bachelor's degree in Physics plays a crucial role in industries such as aerospace, technology, and healthcare, where advanced problem-solving skills and analytical capabilities are essential. The market values these graduates for their ability to tackle complex challenges and innovate within their fields.
Scorecard Analysis
Our proprietary scorecard evaluates degrees across five dimensions from BLS wage and growth data, O*NET work context, and standard education requirements.
Strong earning potential
Below-average growth
Moderate barrier
Primarily in-person
Moderate competition
Difficulty Score
50/100
Composite reflecting the combined demands of salary, growth, barrier, remote compatibility, and competition.
AI Resilience Assessment
Automation risk for careers linked to this degree.
Physics faces moderate AI disruption risk (62/100). While AI will automate routine components within many associated careers, core responsibilities still require human oversight and strategic thinking. Upskilling in AI collaboration tools is recommended.
- Domain expertise from this degree provides some protection against full automation.
- AI can handle routine reporting, data aggregation, and first-pass analysis in many associated careers.
- Risk factor: entry-level roles in fields linked to this degree may face headcount reduction as AI handles more data processing.
Intelligence Deep Dive
-
Reality Check
Despite the promising salary figures, the path to a lucrative career often involves pursuing further education, such as a master's or PhD. Many physics graduates face intense competition for high-level positions, and the need for continuous skill development is paramount in this rapidly evolving field.
-
Hiring Market Signal
Current hiring trends indicate a steady demand for physics graduates in STEM fields, particularly in technology and research sectors. Employers are looking for candidates with strong analytical skills and practical experience, making internships and research projects valuable.
-
Risk Factors
- High student debt levels
- Job market saturation in certain regions
- Automation impacting lower-skilled roles
- Geographical concentration of high-paying jobs
- The need for advanced degrees for career advancement
-
ROI Timeline
Typically, graduates can expect to recoup their investment in 5-10 years, depending on their starting salary and any student debt. High initial salaries in specialized fields can shorten this timeline, while lower-paying roles may extend it significantly.
What You'll Study
The curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in fundamental physics principles while also incorporating computational skills essential for modern scientific analysis. This combination prepares graduates for both theoretical and practical applications in various high-demand sectors.
The academic experience in a Physics program typically includes a mix of rigorous coursework, laboratory work, and research projects. Early courses lay the groundwork in classical mechanics and electromagnetism, while advanced classes delve into topics like quantum mechanics and statistical physics. Students often face challenging mathematical problems and complex theories that require perseverance and a deep understanding of scientific principles.
Laboratory components are crucial, as they allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. Many programs encourage internships or research opportunities, enabling students to work alongside professionals in various fields, thereby enhancing their learning experience and preparing them for their future careers.
Typical Curriculum
- Classical Mechanics
- Electromagnetism
- Quantum Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Optics
- Modern Physics
- Computational Physics
- Senior Thesis
Career Pipeline
From entry to executive.
Entry-Level
- Research Assistant
- Data Analyst
- Engineering Technician
- Quantitative Analyst
- Sales Engineer
Mid-Career
- Aerospace Engineer
- Medical Physicist
- Data Scientist
- Physics Educator
- Research Scientist
Advanced
- Chief Scientist
- Director of Research
- Lead Engineer
- University Professor
Pipeline Insight
Graduates typically start in entry-level positions that allow them to apply their analytical skills and gain industry experience. Those who advance usually engage in continuous learning and specialization, while those who stall may lack practical experience or networking opportunities.
Career Outcomes
Graduates with a Physics degree can pursue various career paths, including roles as physicists, aerospace engineers, quantitative analysts, data scientists, medical physicists, and research scientists. The demand for skilled professionals in these areas is driven by advancements in technology, healthcare, and data analysis, resulting in a projected job growth of about 5% over the next decade. While many entry-level positions offer competitive salaries, experienced professionals can see substantial earnings growth over their careers.
- Physicist
- Aerospace Engineer
- Quantitative Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Medical Physicist
- Research Scientist
Compensation Context
The median salary of $142,850 reflects the high demand for physics graduates in specialized roles, particularly in industries like aerospace and data science where their skills directly impact revenue generation. Compensation can vary significantly based on geographic location, with urban areas offering higher salaries due to a concentration of relevant industries.
Alternative Routes
Similar or competing pathways students consider alongside Physics:
- Engineering Physics
- Applied Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Materials Science
Getting In & Timeline
Typical time to complete: 4 years full-time
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Strong background in mathematics and science courses
- Standardized test scores (e.g., SAT or ACT) may be required by some institutions
Advice
Prospective students should build a strong foundation in math and physics during high school to increase their chances of success in this rigorous program.
Is This Degree Worth It?
This degree can offer a strong ROI for those who pursue careers in high-paying fields like aerospace engineering or data science, particularly if they attend top-tier institutions. However, the investment may not pay off for those who remain in lower-paying roles or fail to leverage their degree effectively.
Schools With Strong Outcomes in Sciences
Ranked by median graduate earnings 10 years after enrollment. Schools grouped into tiers by outcome level.
Top Tier2schools
Strong Outcomes2schools
Explore More Degrees
Methodology & Data Sources
Every score, grade, and verdict on this page is built from a consistent framework designed to answer one question: what is the expected return on this degree?
Scorecard dimensions. We evaluate programs on five proprietary axes — Salary, Job Growth, Education Barrier, Remote/Online Compatibility, and Competition — each normalized to a 0–100 scale. The Overall Score is a weighted composite: salary (30%), job growth (20%), AI resilience (15%), barrier proximity (15%), competition inverse (10%), and career breadth (10%). Letter grades follow a standard scale from A+ (95+) down to F.
AI Resilience. Measures automation risk across the degree's associated career pathways. Each degree receives a category-level baseline adjusted upward for AI-adjacent fields (e.g., machine learning, computer science) and downward for fields with higher routine-task exposure. The score represents the degree's resistance to labor-market disruption, not a prediction of elimination.
Verdict scores. Future-Proof, ROI, and Career Breadth are secondary composites weighting AI resilience, growth, salary, barrier, and career count to answer specific decision questions: is this career durable (Future-Proof), financially worthwhile (ROI), and flexible (Career Breadth)?
Data sources. Salary and growth figures are drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (O*NET) and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2023–2033 projections). Education requirement data and work context scores come from O*NET 28.2. School-level earnings data is sourced from the Opportunity Insights Economic Tracker (median earnings 10 years after enrollment, based on federal tax records). Program rankings and school lists reflect CollegeRanker's proprietary classification and filtering methodology.
This page is built on disclosed, reproducible data. No affiliate bias, no survey-based rankings, no undisclosed weighting.
Data Behind This Page Updated 2025
Source datasets
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023–2033 projections
- O*NET 28.2 — education requirements and work-context data
- Opportunity Insights — earnings 10 years after enrollment (federal tax records)
Methodology
Degrees are scored on five normalized axes — salary (30%), job growth (20%), AI resilience (15%), education barrier (15%), and competition (10%), plus career breadth (10%) — each on a 0–100 scale.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Salary and growth figures come from federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data — administrative wage records and official projections, not surveys.
- AI-resilience scores are computed from O*NET task and work-context data, applied consistently across every program.
- Every measure is normalized to a fixed 0–100 scale, so degrees are directly comparable.
Limitations
- BLS wage data reflect national medians; actual pay varies widely by region, employer, and experience.
- Job growth is a 2023–2033 projection, not a guarantee — labor markets shift with technology and the economy.
- AI-resilience is a directional estimate of automation exposure, not a prediction about any specific role.
- Figures describe typical outcomes for the field, not a promise for any individual graduate.
