by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, physical chemistry was the 1,371 most popular major nationwide with 5 degrees awarded. This 3 less than the prior year, a decrease of 60.0%.
This year's Best Physical Chemistry Schools ranking compares 1 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of physical chemistry programs later in this article.
When studying Physical Chemistry, you’ll learn that understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Required skills include 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 and communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most physical chemistry degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional physical chemistry certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Physical Chemistry degree levels vary. Physical Chemistry programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest physical chemistry degree you can get. Depending on the physical chemistry degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| 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 physical chemistry, with approximately 48.2% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for physical chemistry workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 48.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 22.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 9.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 9.4% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.6% |
94.1% of physical chemistry workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in physical chemistry have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which physical chemistry career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your physical chemistry degree? Physical Chemistry careers are expected to grow 8.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to physical chemistry.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Chemists | 94,000 | 6.5% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Chemistry Professors | 28,900 | 9.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for physical chemistry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for physical chemistry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers physical chemistry grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Chemistry Professors | $92,360 |
| Chemists | $83,850 |
With over 4 different physical chemistry 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 physical chemistry school rankings to help you with this.
One of 11 majors within the Chemistry area of study, Physical Chemistry has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry | 20,056 |
| Other Chemistry | 710 |
| Forensic Chemistry | 247 |
| Polymer Chemistry | 101 |
| Chemical Physics | 45 |
