Question 1

What do Physical Sciences graduates typically earn?

Accepted Answer

Earnings depend heavily on which major you choose and how far you take your education. The family median across all 36 majors sits at $54,717. However, physics and computational chemistry graduates who move into data science roles reach a median wage of $112,590, and those entering computer occupations more broadly earn a median of $108,970. The most common career destination — secondary school teaching — pays a median of $64,580. Graduate education significantly shifts the distribution: bachelor's-only graduates tend to cluster in teaching and technical support roles, while those with master's degrees or PhDs access research, engineering management, and data science positions.

Question 2

Is Chemistry General or Physics General a better major?

Accepted Answer

They serve different career logics. Chemistry General, with 12,173 completions at 1,366 colleges, is the more versatile credential for pre-medical, pre-pharmacy, and industrial laboratory roles; it is the foundational science for medicine and materials. Physics General, with 7,501 completions at 944 colleges, is more mathematically rigorous and better suited for students targeting computational work, data science, or graduate programs in physics and engineering. Both most commonly lead graduates into secondary school teaching at a median of $64,580, but physics has a stronger link to high-wage technical careers like data scientists ($112,590). Choose chemistry if you want clinical or wet-laboratory flexibility; choose physics if your goal is computation or graduate research.

Question 3

Which major in this family leads most directly to a job after a bachelor's degree?

Accepted Answer

Geology/Earth Science General is the most employment-direct option at the bachelor's level, with 3,815 completions at 544 colleges and strong hiring in environmental consulting, energy exploration, and natural resources management. Forensic Chemistry (330 completions, 39 colleges) feeds directly into crime laboratory and regulatory testing roles. Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (530 completions, 60 colleges) connects to government weather services and private forecasting. By contrast, Chemistry General and Physics General produce the most completions but also have the highest rates of graduate school continuation — many bachelor's holders in those majors treat the undergraduate degree as a stepping stone rather than a terminal credential.

Question 4

Can a Physical Sciences degree lead to a career in data science?

Accepted Answer

Yes — data scientists at a median wage of $112,590 are among the top career destinations for this concentration, particularly for physics and computational chemistry graduates. The quantitative foundation built in physics courses — linear algebra, statistics, differential equations, and computational modeling — maps directly onto modern data science and machine learning toolkits. Physics General at 944 colleges is the primary feeder. That said, most data science roles at major technology companies expect either a graduate degree in a quantitative field or demonstrated programming experience alongside the science credential. A physics bachelor's combined with coursework in Python, SQL, and statistics is a viable path; without that programming layer, the transition is harder.

Question 5

How available are Physical Sciences programs across colleges?

Accepted Answer

Chemistry General is the most accessible entry point — offered at all 1,366 colleges in the data, making it nearly universal among four-year institutions. Physics General is available at 944 colleges, and Geology/Earth Science at 544. Smaller specializations like Materials Science (14 colleges, 159 completions), Oceanography Chemical and Physical (24 colleges, 239 completions), and Astrophysics (47 colleges, 340 completions) are concentrated at research universities and are not realistic options at most regional colleges or community colleges. If you are at a smaller institution, Chemistry and Physics are almost certainly available; Astronomy and Meteorology require more deliberate school selection.

Question 6

Is a Physical Sciences degree a good pre-med path?

Accepted Answer

Chemistry General is the most common pre-medical science major in this family — medical school prerequisite lists are built largely around general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry, all of which Chemistry programs cover. Physics General also satisfies the physics prerequisite required by most medical schools and is valued by programs emphasizing quantitative reasoning. With 12,173 Chemistry completions and 7,501 Physics completions annually, both have large cohorts moving through pre-med tracks. The main consideration is that a physical sciences degree alone does not guarantee admission; it is the MCAT score and clinical experience that drive outcomes. Pairing Chemistry or Physics with strong extracurriculars and research experience is the standard playbook.

Physical Sciences

Sorted by popularity

Chemistry, General

Physics, General

Geology/Earth Science, General

Physical Sciences, General

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other

Astronomy

Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General

Chemistry, Other

Astrophysics

Forensic Chemistry

Physics, Other

Oceanography, Chemical and Physical

Physical Sciences, Other

Meteorology

Materials Science

Acoustics

Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other

Geophysics and Seismology

Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other

Hydrology and Water Resources Science

Optics/Optical Sciences

Planetary Astronomy and Science

Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

Chemical Physics

Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology

Paleontology

Physics and Astronomy

Geochemistry

Analytical Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry

Theoretical Chemistry

Polymer Chemistry

Atomic/Molecular Physics

Materials Chemistry

Nuclear Physics

Physical Chemistry

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