by our College Data Analytics TeamChemical Physics was the 1,122 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 45 degrees in this year alone. This 10 less than the prior year, a decrease of 22.2%.
Our 2023 Best Chemical Physics Schools ranking analyzes 4 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for chemical physics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chemical physics programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in chemical physics is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Required skills include communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific chemical physics careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Chemical Physics degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in chemical physics to something that takes less time like a . The time it takes to complete a chemical physics degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to chemical physics, with approximately 37.1% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for chemical physics workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 34.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 22.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.6% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 13.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 2.7% |
53.9% of chemical physics workers have at least a master's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in chemical physics have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the chemical physics career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your chemical physics degree? Chemical Physics careers are expected to grow 8.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chemical physics.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Chemists | 94,000 | 6.5% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Chemistry Professors | 28,900 | 9.9% |
| Physics Postsecondary Professors | 19,400 | 10.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for chemical physics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for chemical physics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers chemical physics grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Physics Postsecondary Professors | $103,830 |
| Chemistry Professors | $92,360 |
| Chemists | $83,850 |
With over 32 different chemical physics degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased chemical physics school rankings to help you with this.
Chemical Physics is one of 11 different types of Chemistry programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry | 20,056 |
| Other Chemistry | 710 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 247 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 101 |
| Analytical Chemistry | 34 |
