Physical Sciences

7 schools compared · Average earnings $24,507/yr

What Physical Sciences Graduates Do

Your career in the physical sciences often begins by making science tangible for others. As a high school chemistry or physics teacher, you’ll spend your days preparing lab demonstrations with beakers and circuits, guiding students on a smartboard, and sparking their curiosity. This path provides a stable entry point with a vast number of job openings each year.

As your expertise grows, a different trajectory opens up: management. After years developing your skills, you could become a natural sciences manager. Here, your focus shifts from the lab bench to the big picture. You’ll direct research teams, manage budgets, and set the scientific strategy for a company, making key decisions on new projects. This leadership path is growing steadily and represents a significant leap in earning potential, with experienced managers reaching top-tier salaries. AI tools might help analyze data or plan lessons, but the hands-on instruction and strategic leadership at the heart of these careers remain distinctly human.

Schools Offering
7
Avg Grad Earnings
$24,507/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
32/100
AI-Proof Rating
Resilient
49% of tasks AI-shielded

Best Schools for Physical Sciences

7 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

# School Score EarningsEarn ROI
1 Middlesex College
Edison, NJ
46
38–49
$27,136/yr 64.5x
2 Western Nevada College
Carson City, NV
46
40–49
$27,007/yr 48.0x
3 CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY
43
37–46
$26,948/yr 38.3x
4 CUNY Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY
41
34–44
$27,203/yr 33.8x
5 CUNY Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY
39
33–42
$23,219/yr 33.9x
6 CUNY LaGuardia Community College
Long Island City, NY
36
30–39
$19,815/yr 44.7x
7 Richard Bland College
South Prince George, VA
33
27–36
$20,219/yr 23.5x

Highest Earning Physical Sciences Programs

Schools where Physical Sciences graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School 1-Year Earnings Score
CUNY Medgar Evers College $27,203/yr 41
Middlesex College $27,136/yr 46
Western Nevada College $27,007/yr 46
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College $26,948/yr 43
CUNY Queensborough Community College $23,219/yr 39
Richard Bland College $20,219/yr 33
CUNY LaGuardia Community College $19,815/yr 36

Best ROI for Physical Sciences

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Physical Sciences.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Middlesex College 64.5x $27,136/yr 46
Western Nevada College 48.0x $27,007/yr 46
CUNY LaGuardia Community College 44.7x $19,815/yr 36
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College 38.3x $26,948/yr 43
CUNY Queensborough Community College 33.9x $23,219/yr 39
CUNY Medgar Evers College 33.8x $27,203/yr 41
Richard Bland College 23.5x $20,219/yr 33

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Physical Sciences degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Physical Sciences graduates make in their first year?
Across 7 schools, Physical Sciences graduates earn an average of $24,507 per year in their first year after completing the program. Earnings range from $19,815 to $27,203 depending on the school.
How AI-proof is a career in Physical Sciences?
Our analysis rates Physical Sciences as "Resilient" for automation risk. With 49% of tasks requiring physical presence or manual skill, a moderate share of the work in this trade remains beyond AI's reach.
Where should I study Physical Sciences?
Our data ranks Middlesex College first among 7 Physical Sciences programs. Its score of 46/100 reflects strong outcomes across earnings ($27,136/yr), return on investment, and career durability.
Is Physical Sciences worth it?
The average 10-year earnings multiple is 41.0x tuition. This is a strong return on investment. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →