Best Schools for Engineering Physics

Engineering Physics graduates earn a median of $59,077 within two years of graduation, ranking #45 out of 292 tracked majors — 66% above the median across all fields. There are 6 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 122 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn $74,845 while The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates earn $42,682 — a $32,163 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is strong: Engineering Physics graduates see an average 17% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

6
Schools
$59,077
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#45
of 292 Majors
122
Graduates

Engineering Physics by State

Top Engineering Physics Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
U

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$74,845
2yr Earnings
1yr: $48,606
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 43.7%
#2
U

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public

$69,338
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 83.3%
#3
U

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Platteville, WI · Public

$61,218
2yr Earnings
1yr: $61,446
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 87.3%
#4
C

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · Public

$59,124
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,721
Grads: 28
Acceptance: 59.7%
#5
M

Murray State University

Murray, KY · Public

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr: $59,115
Grads: 23
Acceptance: 86.2%
#6
T

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 84.8%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Engineering Physics?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks #1 for Engineering Physics with median graduate earnings of $74,845 within two years. There are 6 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Engineering Physics graduates earn?
Engineering Physics graduates earn an average of $59,077 within two years of graduation. This is 66% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $42,682 to $74,845 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Engineering Physics program?
The average acceptance rate across Engineering Physics programs is 74.2%. The most selective program is at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a 43.7% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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