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College physics instructor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a college physics instructor. College physics instructors usually study physics, electrical engineering, or physical therapy. 71% of college physics instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 26 real college physics instructor resumes to see exactly what college physics instructor education sections show.
The most common colleges for college physics instructors are the Bryn Mawr College and the Bryn Mawr College.
There are also many online college physics instructor courses to help get the education required to be a college physics instructor.
What education do you need to become a college physics instructor?
What degree do you need to be a college physics instructor?
- Bachelor's, 71%
- Master's, 19%
- Doctorate, 5%
- Associate, 5%
What should I major in to become a college physics instructor?
- Physics, 26%
- Physical Therapy, 9%
- Liberal Arts, 9%
- Other Majors, 43%
Most common colleges for college physics instructors
| College physics instructor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bryn Mawr College | 7.69% |
| Morningside College | 7.69% |
| Indiana University South Bend | 7.69% |
| University of Puget Sound | 7.69% |
| Smith College | 7.69% |
Best majors for college physics instructors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physics | 26.1% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 13.0% |
| 3 | Physical Therapy | 8.7% |
| 4 | Liberal Arts | 8.7% |
| 5 | Science, Technology, And Society | 4.3% |
Best colleges for college physics instructors
The best colleges for college physics instructors are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A college physics instructor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for college physics instructors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become college physics instructors.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
9. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
20 best online courses for college physics instructors
Advertising disclosure
1. Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics
This course will begin by discussing superconductivity - a central example of a macroscopic phenomenon. It will then proceed to discuss various modern topics in quantum condensed matter physics, including fractionalization, anyon statistics, topology, and non-equilibrium phases. The course aims to provide learners with an appreciation for some modern topics in condensed matter physics...
2. Preparing for the AP Physics 1 Exam
This course is designed for high school students preparing to take the AP* Physics 1 Exam. * AP Physics 1 is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product...
3. The Complete AP and College Physics Course
Master the College/AP physics from classical to modern physics, then test your knowledge with 300+ practice exercises!...
4. Physics - Kinematics for High School and AP Physics 1
This is a comprehensive Algebra based Mechanics course in physics specifically covering topics of Kinematics...
5. Understanding Modern Physics III: Simplicity and Complexity
The 20th century was known as the century of physics. In the past 120 years, concepts such as space, time, energy, entropy and particles were understood to much deeper levels. New paradigms of thinking such as relativity and quantum mechanics emerged. This course is the third course in the Understanding Modern Physics series, which covers an introduction to action principle, fundamental particle physics, entropy & information and complexity. This course offers a broad view between simplicity...
6. Physics 102 - AC Circuits and Maxwell's Equations
This fourth course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe fields and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This fourth course covers AC circuits, Impedance, and Magnetism. Each of the two modules contains reading...
7. Quantum Physics: an overview of a weird world (Basics)
A primer on the conceptual foundations of Quantum Physics...
8. QC151 Quantum Physics for QC - Content moved to QC101
This course has become part of QC101. Buy this course if you want only the physics lessons without the rest of QC101...
9. Physics of silicon solar cells
The first MOOC “Photovoltaic solar energy” is a general presentation of the solar photovoltaics technologies in the global energetic context, without extensive details. In particular the description of the solar cell operation is restricted to the ideal case In contrast this second MOOC allows a deep understanding of the properties of solar cells based on crystalline semiconductors. It consists in a general presentation of the physics of the photovoltaics devices with a particular emphasize on...
10. Physics 102 - Magnetic Fields and Faraday's Law
This third course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe fields and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This third course covers Magnetic Fields and Faraday's Law of Induction. Each of the three modules contains...
11. Classical Physics: Journey Through the Laws of the Universe
Peer beneath the surface of reality, understand how the universe works, and develop physics apps that make a difference!...
12. Intro to Unity 3D Physics: Helicopters
Learn how to create Helicopter physics for Games with Unity 3D and C#!...
13. Understanding Modern Physics II: Quantum Mechanics and Atoms
Course Overview: https://youtu.be/xyF-MmGNxd0 The 20th century was known as the century of physics. In the past 120 years, concepts such as space, time, energy, entropy and particles were understood to much deeper levels. New paradigms of thinking such as relativity and quantum mechanics emerged. This course is the second course in the Understanding Modern Physics series, which covers an introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic physics and quantum information. We will find (i) How the quantum...
14. Exploring Quantum Physics
An introduction to quantum physics with emphasis on topics at the frontiers of research, and developing understanding through exercise...
15. Game Physics - Introducing Gravitation & Rotation in Unity
Step-by-step tutorial on how to create a basic rigid body motion physics from scratch. Taught in C# using Unity 3D free...
16. Intro to Airplane Physics in Unity 3D - 2017 & 2018
Learn how to build your very own Custom Airplane Physics with Unity & C#...
17. Physics 101 - Rotational Motion and Gravitation
This third course serves as an introduction to the physics of rotational motion and gravitation. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe the motions and interactions of objects around us. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This third course covers Rotational motion, Angular Momentum, and Gravitation. Each of the three modules contains...
18. Computational Physics: Scientific Programming with Python
From numerical methods to exciting applications: Differential equations, eigenvalue problems, Monte Carlo methods & more...
19. The Complete Physics Course - Learn Science the easy way!
A course that's made for you to easily learn Physics! ....even for those that don't like Math & Science :)...
20. Quantum Physics from Beginner to Expert (Quantum mechanics)
From the very fundamentals to advanced topics like quantum computing...
Top 10 most affordable universities for college physics instructors
The most affordable schools for college physics instructors are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for college physics instructors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for college physics instructors.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
10. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for college physics instructors
The hardest universities for college physics instructors to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for college physics instructors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for college physics instructors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
10. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for college physics instructors
The easiest schools for college physics instructors to get into are D'Youville College, barry university, and university of houston - downtown.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a college physics instructor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for college physics instructors.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
6. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
7. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
8. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
9. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
10. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
Average college physics instructor salary by education level
| College physics instructor education level | College physics instructor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $65,138 |
| Doctorate Degree | $75,784 |
College physics instructor education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025