Physics Schools and Programs in The United States

Physics Studies in The United States

Physics studies matter and energy and the laws that govern space, time and the natural world, from subatomic particles to galaxies. In the United States it is offered at universities, liberal arts colleges and community colleges, usually in a department of physics (sometimes combined with astronomy) within a college of science. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), undergraduate physics programmes typically include courses such as quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and electromagnetism.

How the degree is organised

There is no national catalogue of degree titles; each accredited institution designs its own programmes. The main levels are:

• Associate degree (two years), at community colleges, often as the first two years of a bachelor's degree
• Bachelor's degree (four years), usually a BS in Physics, with variants such as applied physics or combined majors with engineering
• Master's degree (typically two years), including shorter professional programmes
• PhD (five to eight years), the usual qualification for research and university teaching

Credits in the US reflect weekly class hours rather than ECTS, and results are averaged into a GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students usually declare their major at the end of the second year. Some universities offer combined bachelor's and master's programmes: in a joint-degree programme, students begin graduate courses in their fourth year.

Programmes vary in style. Northeastern University in Boston offers a BS in Physics, a BS in Applied Physics, combined majors with engineering, an MS in Physics and PhD programmes. At Drexel University in Philadelphia, physics undergraduates can complete up to three six-month periods of employment through the university's co-op programme. At Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), every graduating senior completes a research or design project, the Major Qualifying Project (MQP). The University of Wisconsin-Madison has awarded PhDs in physics since 1899 and runs a 12-month MS in Quantum Computing.

Admission, English and visa

For a bachelor's degree you need to have completed secondary school and be at least 17. Each university reviews foreign school records itself and may ask for an evaluation by a credential evaluation agency, and US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. For a PhD, the BLS notes that a bachelor's degree in physical science or a related field such as engineering is usually required.

International students first need an admission from an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which issues the Form I-20 or DS-2019 for the visa application. Degree students normally use the F visa; the J visa is for exchange programmes. EducationUSA advises checking accreditation, since recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and employers is linked to it.

Costs and funding

Fees are set by each institution. State universities are generally larger and less expensive than private ones, and community colleges offer lower costs and easier admission. Physics PhD students are usually funded through assistantships or fellowships; at UW-Madison, for example, PhD students are guaranteed five years of support. With permission of the international student office, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Where to study physics in the United States

Physics is one of the most widely taught sciences in the country. The cities with the most schools on this page are Philadelphia (including Drexel University and Saint Joseph's University), Boston (including Northeastern University), New York (including The Rockefeller University) and Denver. Other examples include the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, Cornell University in Ithaca, Stanford University, The University of Chicago, Yale University and Duke University; large public universities such as the University of Michigan, Purdue University and The University of Texas at Austin; liberal arts colleges such as Lawrence University, Wellesley College and Claremont McKenna College; and community colleges such as Seattle Central College and Broward College.

Careers

According to the BLS, physicists and astronomers typically need a PhD for jobs in research and academia, but physicist jobs in the federal government typically require a bachelor's degree in physics. Graduates with a bachelor's degree often work as technicians and research assistants in fields such as engineering and computer science, and some become science teachers. Physicists held about 23,200 jobs in 2025, mostly in scientific research and development services, the federal government and universities. Some federal positions, such as those involving nuclear energy, may require US citizenship and a security clearance.

The BLS gives a median annual wage of $172,250 for physicists and $128,820 for astronomers in May 2025, and projects employment of physicists and astronomers to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,500 openings a year.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a physics degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree takes four years. A master's degree typically takes two years, and a PhD five to eight years.

Can I start physics at a community college?

Yes. Community colleges provide the first two years of a four-year degree at lower cost, and students can then transfer to a university; the transfer process varies by school.

Do I need a PhD to work in physics?

For research and university jobs, usually yes. With a bachelor's or master's degree you can work as a technician or research assistant, teach, or apply for some federal government jobs.

Which visa do international physics students need?

Degree students usually need an F student visa, after being admitted by an SEVP-certified institution. Exchange students use the J visa.