Applied Physics Kettering University

Job outlook for Applied Physics Bachelor Degree recipients

Questions most often asked by students contemplating pursuing a degree in physics include:

First, we would like to assure you that obtaining gainful employment is not a problem for an Applied Physics major at Kettering University. Data from the American Insitute of Physics shows that 66% of employed physics bachelors felt that prior work experience had assisted them in obtaining their current position. Much of this work experience was gained in the form of co-ops and internships. Kettering University's biggest strength is it's co-op program. Every single Kettering University student is required to have a co-op job, and when that student graduates he/she has 2-1/5 years of work experience under his/her belt. Fully 100% of Kettering University graduates are either hired full-time or attending graduate school within 6 months of graduation. In addition, the applied nature of our physics program makes students much more marketable than a typical liberal arts physics degree.

So, what kind of jobs do physics majors get?

Here are the current jobs of four of Kettering University's most recent Applied Physics B.S. graduates Updated information on Kettering University Applied Physics alumni is on our alumni page.

The following data represents trends for physics bachelor's recipients across the entire United States. The pie-chart at top right shows the types of employment secured by physics bachelor's 5 to 7 years after earning their degrees. The three biggest areas of employment are software, management and finance, and engineering.

This data is from 1999. More details may be found at the AIP Statistical Research Center

What companies hire physics majors?

There are a large number of companies that hire physics majors. Our physics faculty are committed to helping our students find a co-op position, in addition to the assistance provided by the Co-op Managers at Kettering. Placement of a Kettering University Applied Physics student in a co-op job depends on whether the student wants to work near home or is willing to relocate.
  • There are over 700 companies in the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain, Honduras, and the Domican Republic that currently employ Kettering University students as part of our co-op program.
  • The American Institute of Physics has compiled a list of United States companies who have hired a Physics B.S. in the last couple of years.

What can a physics major expect to make?

Physics bacehlors in the class of 1997-98 accepted employment in many areas of the work force with the majority (61%) working in the industrial sector, followed by 13% accepting employment at an elementary or high school, as shown in the pie-chart at bottom right. The median starting salary for physics bachelors in the class of 1997-98 who accepted employment in the industrial sector was $40,000. This represents an increase of 8% from the previous year and 43% from what was reported for the class of 1994.

The data shown is from the American Institute of Physics report: 1999 Initial Employment Report: Follow-Up of the 1998 Physics and Astronomy Degree Recipients