Physics, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Physics, Other.: The DTI for this program is 53.4%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Physics, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $42639) to the average debt ($22779) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Physics, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 53.4%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Physics, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($42639) against the typical student debt ($22779), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Considering Physics, Other.? This major is known for its blend of hands-on learning and career-ready skills. Graduates often start out earning $42639, and with an average student debt of $22779, the debt-to-income ratio is 0.53—pretty reasonable for most students.
With more than 13306 students earning this degree each year, you’ll be part of a vibrant community. Whether you’re interested in job security, making a difference, or just want a degree that opens doors, Physics, Other. is a smart choice. Don’t forget: internships, networking, and campus involvement can make your experience even more valuable.
Degree Overview
Physics, Other (CIP 40.0899) is an advanced physical science field dedicated to understanding the fundamental laws that govern matter, energy, space, and time. This classification includes flexible, interdisciplinary, or emerging physics programs that do not fit neatly into traditional concentrations such as classical physics, nuclear physics, or condensed matter physics. Instead, it allows institutions to offer customized pathways that blend physics with computation, engineering, materials science, data science, or applied research domains.
For a degree search site, Physics, Other represents intellectual rigor, adaptability, and long-term career resilience. Physics underlies nearly every modern technology—from semiconductors and medical imaging to renewable energy, aerospace systems, and artificial intelligence. Graduates trained in physics are known for their ability to model complex systems, solve abstract problems, and translate theory into real-world applications. This degree appeals to students who want deep analytical training with the flexibility to apply it across science, technology, and industry.
What Is a Physics, Other Degree?
A Physics, Other degree is a quantitative, theory-driven program focused on the principles that describe how the universe works. Programs under the “Other” designation often emphasize interdisciplinary or applied tracks such as:
- Applied or engineering-oriented physics
- Computational or data-intensive physics
- Materials or nanoscience-focused physics
- Biophysics or medical physics foundations
- Physics combined with computer science or mathematics
Rather than limiting students to a narrow subfield, this degree emphasizes:
- Core physical laws and mathematical frameworks
- Modeling and simulation of physical systems
- Experimental and computational methods
- Problem-solving across scales, from subatomic to cosmic
- Preparation for research, industry, or advanced study
Universities offer this degree to:
- Provide a flexible yet rigorous physics foundation
- Support interdisciplinary research and innovation
- Prepare students for diverse technical careers
- Enable specialization at the graduate level
This degree is especially well-suited for students who want to keep multiple high-level STEM pathways open.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how physical laws are expressed mathematically and tested experimentally. You’ll study motion, forces, energy, fields, waves, and the structure of matter, learning how these principles apply across technology and natural systems. Emphasis is placed on abstraction, precision, and reasoning from first principles.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Advanced mathematical modeling—using calculus and linear algebra to describe systems
- Physics-based problem solving—deriving solutions from fundamental laws
- Computational thinking—simulating systems with code and algorithms
- Experimental design and measurement—testing theories with real data
- Data analysis and statistics—interpreting noisy or complex datasets
- Critical reasoning—evaluating assumptions and approximations
- Technical communication—explaining abstract concepts clearly
- Systems thinking—connecting theory to real-world behavior
These skills are among the most transferable in all of STEM.
Topics You May Explore
Because this is a flexible “Other” classification, coursework varies by institution, but commonly includes:
- Classical Mechanics: motion, forces, and dynamical systems
- Electricity and Magnetism: fields, circuits, and electromagnetic waves
- Quantum Physics: behavior of matter and energy at small scales
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics: energy, entropy, and probability
- Modern Physics: relativity and atomic structure
- Computational Physics: numerical modeling and simulation
- Solid State or Materials Physics: properties of condensed matter
- Applied or Engineering Physics: physics in technological systems
- Experimental Methods: instrumentation and laboratory techniques
Many programs culminate in a research project, senior thesis, or applied capstone.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Physics, Other degree prepares students for high-level analytical and technical roles. While some graduates pursue research careers, many transition directly into industry due to strong quantitative and problem-solving skills.
Common career paths include:
- Physicist or Research Scientist: academic or industrial research (often graduate-level)
- Data Scientist or Quantitative Analyst: modeling and analytics roles
- Software or Simulation Engineer: computational and modeling systems
- Applied Scientist or R&D Engineer: technology development
- Materials or Semiconductor Specialist: advanced manufacturing roles
- Systems or Operations Analyst: complex system optimization
- Science Educator or Communicator: teaching and outreach (with credentials)
- Graduate or Professional School Path: physics, engineering, data science, or medicine
Physics graduates are especially competitive in roles requiring abstraction and precision.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in sectors that value deep analytical capability:
- Technology and software companies
- Aerospace and defense organizations
- Energy and renewable power industries
- Semiconductor and materials manufacturing
- Government laboratories and research agencies
- Finance, analytics, and quantitative firms
- Universities and research institutions
Physics training allows graduates to move between industries as technologies evolve.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary by role and education level.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level technical or analyst roles: often $60,000–$85,000
- Experienced applied scientists or engineers: commonly $90,000–$130,000
- Senior researchers or specialized experts: can exceed $140,000+
Graduate degrees significantly increase access to research and leadership roles.
Is This Degree Hard?
Physics, Other is considered one of the most intellectually demanding undergraduate degrees. Students must be comfortable with abstract mathematics, long problem sets, and reasoning from first principles. Success requires persistence, curiosity, and tolerance for complexity.
The challenge lies in translating physical intuition into precise mathematical language.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Enjoy math, abstraction, and deep problem-solving
- Like understanding how things work at a fundamental level
- Want elite analytical skills with broad applicability
- Are considering graduate school or advanced technical careers
- Prefer reasoning-based learning over memorization
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a physics program:
- Take physics, calculus, and advanced math courses
- Build strong skills in algebra, trigonometry, and problem-solving
- Learn basic programming or computational thinking
- Participate in science clubs, robotics, or research projects
- Develop persistence and comfort with challenging problems
Physics, Other (CIP 40.0899) is a powerful degree for students who want to master the language of nature itself. It provides unmatched training in logic, mathematics, and analytical reasoning—skills that remain valuable across research, technology, and data-driven industries. For students seeking both intellectual challenge and long-term flexibility, this degree offers one of the strongest foundations in all of higher education.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor