Roster of Physics Departments with Enrollment and Degree Data, 2025

In the 2024–25 academic year, U.S. institutions awarded 8,108 physics bachelor’s degrees. After four consecutive years of decline, the number of physics bachelor’s degrees awarded increased 4% from the previous academic year. The increase occurred at both bachelor’s- and PhD-granting departments, while degree production remained unchanged at departments where the master’s is the highest degree offered (see Figure 19). Current enrollment patterns among upper-level physics majors suggest that bachelor’s degree production is likely to continue increasing over at least the next two academic years.

Institutions awarded 2,067 physics PhDs in the 2024–25 academic year, a 6% increase from the previous year and the highest number ever recorded. Non-U.S. citizens earned 45% of the physics PhDs awarded. In fall 2025, 3,364 first-year physics graduate students were enrolled, a 7% decline from the previous fall.