by our College Data Analytics TeamOptics/Optical Sciences was the 816th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 196 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 7 over the prior year, a growth of 3.6%.
Our 2023 Best Optics/Optical Sciences Schools ranking analyzes 5 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for optics/optical sciences students. Explore this or one of our many other custom optics/optical sciences rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in optics/optical sciences is using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
optics/optical sciences 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 optics/optical sciences careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Optics/Optical Sciences degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in optics/optical sciences to the highest optics/optical sciences degree, a . The time it takes to complete a optics/optical sciences 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 doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to optics/optical sciences, with approximately 34.3% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to optics/optical sciences tend obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
About 53.2% of workers in careers related to optics/optical sciences obtain at least doctor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in optics/optical sciences have received.
The education level required is different depending on the optics/optical sciences career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your optics/optical sciences degree? Optics/Optical Sciences careers are expected to grow 10.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to optics/optical sciences.
| 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% |
As you might expect, salaries for optics/optical sciences graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for optics/optical sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers optics/optical sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Physicists | $125,280 |
| Physics Postsecondary Professors | $103,830 |
With over 30 different optics/optical sciences 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 optics/optical sciences school rankings to help you with this.
Optics/Optical Sciences is one of 8 different types of Physics programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Physics | 12,875 |
| Other Physics | 467 |
| Acoustics | 96 |
| Theoretical & Mathematical Physics | 19 |
| Condensed Matter & Materials Physics | 8 |
Image Credit: By A. T. Service under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
