# Engineering Physics

> A program focusing on the use of physics principles in the analysis and evaluation of engineering problems and other scientific applications. Includes instruction in high- and low-temperature phenomena, computational physics, superconductivity, applied thermodynamics, molecular and particle physics applications, and space science research.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/engineering-physics
- CIP code: 14.12 (Engineering)
- Colleges offering it: 127 at its most common degree level
- Value ranking: https://www.collegesref.com/best-colleges/engineering

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Associate's | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Bachelor's | 127 | $71,186 | $90,465 | $24,435 |
| Master's | 26 | $105,448 | $118,632 | $27,595 |
| Doctoral | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign-main-campus-2927) | Champaign, IL | $102,211 | $20,500 |
| [Colorado School of Mines](https://www.collegesref.com/college/colorado-school-of-mines-642) | Golden, CO | $97,497 | $26,500 |
| [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach](https://www.collegesref.com/college/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-daytona-beach-908) | Daytona Beach, FL | $94,084 | $25,615 |
| [Ohio State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ohio-state-university-main-campus-2000) | Columbus, OH | $90,938 | not reported |
| [Fordham University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/fordham-university-990) | Bronx, NY | $90,465 | not reported |
| [Murray State University-Kentucky](https://www.collegesref.com/college/murray-state-university-kentucky-1807) | Murray, KY | $86,713 | not reported |
| [Augustana College-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/augustana-college-illinois-146) | Rock Island, IL | $85,993 | not reported |
| [University of Wisconsin-Platteville](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-wisconsin-platteville-3088) | Platteville, WI | $85,901 | $23,255 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Physicists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/physicists): $172,250 median pay
- [Architectural and Engineering Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architectural-and-engineering-managers): $171,270 median pay
- [Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biofuels-biodiesel-technology-and-product-development-managers): $171,270 median pay
- [Clinical Research Coordinators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/clinical-research-coordinators): $167,220 median pay
- [Natural Sciences Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/natural-sciences-managers): $167,220 median pay
- [Water Resource Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-resource-specialists): $167,220 median pay
- [Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/energy-engineers-except-wind-and-solar): $122,930 median pay
- [Engineers, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/engineers-all-other): $122,930 median pay
- [Mechatronics Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechatronics-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Microsystems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microsystems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Nanosystems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nanosystems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Photonics Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/photonics-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Robotics Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/robotics-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Solar Energy Systems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/solar-energy-systems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Wind Energy Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/wind-energy-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/engineering-teachers-postsecondary): $109,270 median pay

## More in Engineering

- [Engineering, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/engineering-general): 452 colleges
- [Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/mechanical-engineering): 395 colleges
- [Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/electrical-electronics-and-communications-engineering): 387 colleges
- [Computer Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-engineering): 367 colleges
- [Civil Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/civil-engineering): 300 colleges
- [Biomedical/Medical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/biomedical-medical-engineering): 200 colleges
- [Chemical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/chemical-engineering): 182 colleges
- [Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/environmental-environmental-health-engineering): 130 colleges

## Guides on this field

- [How to Compare Colleges by Major: Engineering, STEM, Pre-Med, and Business](https://www.collegesref.com/blog/how-to-compare-colleges-by-major)

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/