Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Physics instructor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a physics instructor. Physics instructors usually study physics, kinesiology, or health education. 62% of physics instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,014 real physics instructor resumes to see exactly what physics instructor education sections show.
The most common colleges for physics instructors are the Northeastern Illinois University and the Northeastern Illinois University.
There are also many online physics instructor courses to help get the education required to be a physics instructor.
What education do you need to become a physics instructor?
What degree do you need to be a physics instructor?
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Master's, 23%
- Doctorate, 7%
- Associate, 6%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a physics instructor?
- Physics, 44%
- Kinesiology, 6%
- Health Education, 5%
- Physical Therapy, 5%
- Other Majors, 40%
Most common colleges for physics instructors
| Physics instructor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Northeastern Illinois University | 8.77% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 7.02% |
| Chicago State University | 6.14% |
| University of California - Davis | 6.14% |
| Eastern Michigan University | 5.26% |
Best majors for physics instructors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physics | 44.2% |
| 2 | Kinesiology | 6.2% |
| 3 | Health Education | 5.0% |
| 4 | Physical Therapy | 4.5% |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering | 4.2% |
Best colleges for physics instructors
The best colleges for physics instructors are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Harvard University.
A 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 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 physics instructors.
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
3. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
6. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
10. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
20 best online courses for physics instructors
Advertising disclosure
1. 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...
2. 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...
3. Physics - Kinematics for High School and AP Physics 1
This is a comprehensive Algebra based Mechanics course in physics specifically covering topics of Kinematics...
4. Quantum Physics: an overview of a weird world (Basics)
A primer on the conceptual foundations of Quantum Physics...
5. Exploring Quantum Physics
An introduction to quantum physics with emphasis on topics at the frontiers of research, and developing understanding through exercise...
6. 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...
7. 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!...
8. Intro to Unity 3D Physics: Helicopters
Learn how to create Helicopter physics for Games with Unity 3D and C#!...
9. 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...
10. 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...
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. 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...
13. 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...
14. 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...
15. 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...
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 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...
18. 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 :)...
19. Computational Physics: Scientific Programming with Python
From numerical methods to exciting applications: Differential equations, eigenvalue problems, Monte Carlo methods & more...
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 physics instructors
The most affordable schools for physics instructors are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for 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 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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
10. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for physics instructors
The hardest universities for physics instructors to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for 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 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. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
6. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
26%
SAT average
1,427
7. Brown University
Providence, RI • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
9. Rice University
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for physics instructors
The easiest schools for physics instructors to get into are Barry University, san francisco state university, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a 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 physics instructors.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
3. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
6. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
7. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
8. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
9. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
10. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
Average physics instructor salary by education level
| Physics instructor education level | Physics instructor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $56,539 |
| Doctorate Degree | $66,427 |
Physics instructor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
Search for physics instructor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025