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2023 Nuclear Physics Degree Guide

Nuclear Physics Degrees Decreasing

#1,404 Most Popular Major
3.0 Degrees Awarded
-100.0% Increase in Graduates

Nuclear Physics was the 1,404 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 3 degrees in this year alone. This 3 less than the prior year, a decrease of 100.0%.

This year's Best Nuclear Physics Schools ranking compares 1 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom nuclear physics rankings further below.

2023 Best Colleges for Nuclear Physics
2023 Overall Best Nuclear Physics Colleges >

Best Nuclear Physics Schools by Degree

Bachelor's Degrees in Nuclear Physics
Master's Degrees in Nuclear Physics
Doctorate Degrees in Nuclear Physics

Requirements for Getting a Degree in Nuclear Physics

When studying Nuclear Physics, you’ll learn that using scientific rules and methods to solve problems will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Talking to others to convey information effectively and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.

Prior Education for a Nuclear Physics Program

nuclear physics degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific nuclear physics careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.

Nuclear Physics Degree Types

There are various different levels of nuclear physics degrees. Nuclear Physics programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest nuclear physics degree you can get. Nuclear Physics programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.

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 doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to nuclear physics, with approximately 34.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for nuclear physics workers below.

Level of Education Percentage of Workers
Doctoral Degree 39.2%
Master’s Degree 22.2%
Post-Doctoral Training 18.4%
Bachelor’s Degree 16.1%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 2.5%

53.2% of nuclear physics workers have at least a doctorate. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in nuclear physics have received.

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This of course varies depending on which nuclear physics career you choose.

Career Opportunities for Nuclear Physics Majors

Below Average Number of Jobs
123k Avg. Related Jobs Salary
11% Growth Job Outlook 2016-26

Solid Growth Projected for Nuclear Physics Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your nuclear physics degree? Nuclear Physics careers are expected to grow 10.8% between 2016 and 2026.

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nuclear physics.

Occupation Name Projected Jobs Expected Growth
Natural Sciences Managers 62,300 9.9%
Physicists 20,500 14.5%
Physics Postsecondary Professors 19,400 10.2%

Nuclear Physics Degree Salary Potential

As you might expect, salaries for nuclear physics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

Highest Paid Nuclear Physics Careers

Salaries for nuclear physics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers nuclear physics grads often go into.

Occupation Name Median Average Salary
Natural Sciences Managers $139,680
Physicists $125,280
Physics Postsecondary Professors $103,830

Getting Your Nuclear Physics Degree

With over 3 different nuclear 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 nuclear physics school rankings to help you with this.

One of 8 majors within the Physics area of study, Nuclear Physics has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
General Physics 12,875
Other Physics 467
Optics/Optical Sciences 196
Acoustics 96
Theoretical & Mathematical Physics 19

View All Nuclear Physics Related Majors >

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