Post job

Physical science aide education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a physical science aide. Physical science aides usually study chemistry, biology, or environmental science. 69% of physical science aides hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 202 real physical science aide resumes to see exactly what physical science aide education sections show.

The most common colleges for physical science aides are the University of Maryland - College Park and the University of Maryland - College Park.

There are also many online physical science aide courses to help get the education required to be a physical science aide.

What education do you need to become a physical science aide?

What degree do you need to be a physical science aide?

The most common degree for physical science aides is bachelor's degree, with 69% of physical science aides earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 16% and associate degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 69%
  • Associate, 16%
  • High School Diploma, 6%
  • Master's, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a physical science aide?

You should major in chemistry to become a physical science aide. 16% of physical science aides major in chemistry. Other common majors for a physical science aide include biology and environmental science.

Most common colleges for physical science aides

Physical science aides often get their degrees at University of Maryland - College Park, Sonoma State University, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Here are the most common colleges for physical science aides in the US based on their resumes.
Physical science aide common collegePercentages
University of Maryland - College Park10.71%
Sonoma State University7.14%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale7.14%
Lincoln7.14%
University of New Orleans7.14%

Best majors for physical science aides

RankMajorPercentages
1Chemistry16.0%
2Biology12.3%
3Environmental Science7.4%
4Kinesiology6.2%
5Psychology4.9%

Best colleges for physical science aides

The best colleges for physical science aides are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

A physical science aide with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for physical science aides. 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 physical science aides.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

6. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

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 physical science aides

Advertising disclosure

1. Wilderness First Aid - Introduction

coursera

In this course, students will learn the basics of wilderness medicine, including how it is a unique clinical environment, and concepts of scene safety. They will learn how to perform a basic assessment of a patient, including a physical exam, gather history data using the SAMPLE approach, and how to evaluate a patient for a potential spinal cord injury...

2. Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Physical Sciences

coursera

What is the origin of our universe? What are dark matter and dark energy? This is the first part of the course 'Philosophy and the Sciences', dedicated to Philosophy of the Physical Sciences. Scientific research across the physical sciences has raised pressing questions for philosophers. The goal of this course is to introduce you to some of the main areas and topics at the key juncture between philosophy and the physical sciences. Each week we will introduce you to some of these important...

3. Home Health Aide, Nurse Aide, Caregiver Certification Course

udemy
4.6
(1,178)

Become A Certified Home Health Aide, Personal Care Aide, Nurse Aide/ Caregiver At The End Of This Course. Enroll Now!!...

4. First Aid Masterclass: A Complete Guide to First Aid

udemy
4.7
(610)

The Complete Guide to First Aid and Emergency Medicine: Learn CPR, Heimlich, How to Stop Bleedings, Baby Care & More!...

5. English for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

coursera

Welcome to English for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, a course created by the University of Pennsylvania, and funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs. To enroll in this course for free, click on “Enroll now” and then select "Full Course. No certificate." If you want to get a Coursera Verified Certificate for free, please fill out the Financial Aid form. This course is designed for non-native...

6. Psychological First Aid

coursera

Learn to provide psychological first aid to people in an emergency by employing the RAPID model: Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition. Utilizing the RAPID model (Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition), this specialized course provides perspectives on injuries and trauma that are beyond those physical in nature. The RAPID model is readily applicable to public health settings, the workplace, the...

7. St John Ambulance: Official Baby & Paediatric First Aid

udemy
4.8
(294)

Essential Lifesaving First Aid & CPR Skills for Parents, Guardians & Carers in an Emergency Situation...

8. Pet First Aid (Advanced)

udemy
4.5
(655)

Learn essential knowledge and skills to be able to confidently carry out emergency first aid on a pet animal...

9. Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change

coursera

This class describes the science of global warming and the forecast for humans’ impact on Earth’s climate. Intended for an audience without much scientific background but a healthy sense of curiosity, the class brings together insights and perspectives from physics, chemistry, biology, earth and atmospheric sciences, and even some economics—all based on a foundation of simple mathematics (algebra)...

10. Exploring Quantum Physics

coursera

An introduction to quantum physics with emphasis on topics at the frontiers of research, and developing understanding through exercise...

11. First Aid

udemy
4.3
(1,797)

A guide to first aid for the common man. Covers sudden illness, wounds, burns, bone injuries and more...

12. Herbalism:: Essential First Aid Remedies Certificate

udemy
4.7
(1,271)

Be prepared by equipping your first aid kit with important herbs, herbal medicine & natural medicine that you need...

13. The Science of the Solar System

coursera

Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be...

14. AIDS: Fear and Hope

coursera

The basic biology of the virus, HIV, and the disease it causes, AIDS. The economic, social and political factors that determine who gets sick and who remains healthy, who lives and who dies. The progress of scientific research and medical treatments. The reasons for hope; the reasons for fear. (To get a glimpse of some of the materials that students have been posting on the course forums, go to @AIDSFAH or #AIDSFAH.)...

15. Emergency Life Support First Aid Training

udemy
4.7
(2,132)

Learn important life saving first aid. Treatment of major illness and injuries...

16. Quantum Physics: an overview of a weird world (Basics)

udemy
4.6
(1,355)

A primer on the conceptual foundations of Quantum Physics...

17. Physics - Kinematics for High School and AP Physics 1

udemy
4.7
(315)

This is a comprehensive Algebra based Mechanics course in physics specifically covering topics of Kinematics...

18. The Complete Physics Course - Learn Science the easy way!

udemy
4.6
(372)

A course that's made for you to easily learn Physics! ....even for those that don't like Math & Science :)...

19. First Aid & CPR - An in Depth Guide to CPR, AED and Choking

udemy
4.8
(452)

Learn the most important first aid fundamentals to keep your loved ones safe. A practical first aid course for anyone...

20. Web GIS development course

udemy
4.7
(546)

Basic Web GIS development for non programmer...

Top 10 most affordable universities for physical science aides

The most affordable schools for physical science aides are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for physical science aides 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 physical science aides.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

5. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

8. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for physical science aides

The hardest universities for physical science aides to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for physical science aides 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 physical science aides 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for physical science aides

The easiest schools for physical science aides to get into are AdventHealth University, barry university, and notre dame de namur university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a physical science aide 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 physical science aides.

1. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

6. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

7. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

8. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

9. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

10. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

Average physical science aide salary by education level

According to our data, physical science aides with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $79,968 annually. Physical science aides with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $74,719.
Physical science aide education levelPhysical science aide salary
Bachelor's Degree$74,719
Some College/ Associate Degree$79,968

Physical science aide education FAQs

Search for physical science aide jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse healthcare support jobs