Key Takeaways
- Nearly 70% of US students interested in physics leave the major.
- Most move to other STEM fields, not away from science.
- Physics only represents around 2% of all STEM bachelor’s degrees earned.
- Lecture-heavy classes and limited interaction reduce engagement.
- Supportive faculty and collaborative learning improve retention.
- Women earned 24% of physics bachelor’s degrees. Black or African American students earned only 3%.
- Inclusive, welcoming environments can help students stay in physics longer.
We believe the drop in physics majors is a fixable problem. The American Institute of Physics spent five years tracking nearly 4,000 students and found that almost 70% left the subject. Many didn’t quit STEM entirely; they just shifted to fields like engineering.
This article looks at why almost 70% of US physics students leave, what the data says, and how we can make physics a place they want to stay.
And for those balancing labs, essays, and endless assignments, we’re here. WriteMyEssay can take some of the academic load so you can keep your energy focused on what drew you to physics in the first place.
What the AIP Survey Reveals About Physics Majors
The American Institute of Physics conducted a five-year study that followed almost 4,000 students from their first physics courses through their later academic choices. The main finding was both surprising and revealing, showing that nearly 70% of students who started out interested in physics eventually left the major. However, most of them didn’t entirely abandon STEM; they just transitioned to other disciplines. That tells us interest in science is still alive, but something in the college physics experience is pushing students away.
The data shows that a love for science doesn’t disappear. What changes is the path students take when their classes or department feels out of sync with their ambitions. It’s a bit like studying abroad and discovering a subject you never planned to pursue because fresh experiences can steer you somewhere new.
Primary Reasons Students Leave Physics
Students in the AIP survey pointed to several key factors that pushed them toward other majors, even when they still loved science:
- Some students spotted another STEM field, like engineering or computer science, that matched their skills and curiosity better. What’s more, physics degrees make up just 2% of all STEM bachelor’s degrees awarded in the U.S., meaning that the field has a limited reach.
- College physics loses the spark that students felt in high school, with rote lectures replacing hands-on curiosity, and that shift can drain motivation fast.
- Departmental culture matters more than many realize. When students feel disconnected from faculty or peers, the subject itself becomes harder to love.
- A competitive atmosphere left little space for teamwork or encouragement, as 38% of the students reported that rigid and long courses made it hard to complete requirements.
How Department Culture and Identity Shape Student Experiences
The AIP survey shows that challenges for women and students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups often begin before they even reach college. In 2021, women earned just 24% of bachelor’s degrees in physics, while Black or African American students earned only 3%. Many of them were already less likely to see physics as a future path before their first college class.
Once in introductory physics courses, these students left the major at similar rates to white male peers, yet their experiences often felt more isolating. Many described moments of discrimination from classmates or teaching assistants that made the environment less welcoming. Those who switched majors also shared that they felt less encouraged by professors and saw their classes as less interactive compared to what their white counterparts reported.
The numbers might show that students leave physics at similar rates, but their experiences tell a different story. For some, the classroom and places to study on campus feel welcoming and engaging. For others, it feels distant or uninviting. Building an environment where every student feels encouraged and involved can make a real difference in who decides to keep going in physics.
Ways to Keep Physics Students Engaged and Included
When you think back to high school physics, do you see huge halls, distant professors, and no room for curiosity? Probably not. Then, it was the buzz of the lab, the ‘aha’ moments after a tricky experiment, and the way a classmate’s idea suddenly made everything click. The lack of energy from hands-on projects and friendly collaboration, even the most motivated students can drift.
The American Institute of Physics believes it doesn’t have to be this way. They recommend making college physics more interactive, with lessons that let students experiment, ask questions, and solve problems together. Here are three things they recommend:
- More interactive courses: Replace long lectures with hands-on experiments, in-class problem-solving, and activities that make physics feel alive.
- Collaborative learning: Bring students together for group projects, study circles, and problem-solving sessions where ideas grow.
- Greater faculty-student interaction: Create more chances to talk with professors through small group chats and casual mentorship.
Recreating the excitement and personal connection of high school physics could keep far more students in the field. You can also read statistics about online education to see current trends and how different learning formats shape education today.
Final Thoughts
Physics can be tough, and as physics majors, we’ve all been there, staring at a stubborn problem set that refuses to make sense. As the AIP survey revealed, a more connected, collaborative environment could help more students stick with it.
And if you ever need a hand keeping up, WriteMyEssay offers academic help, research support, and guidance so you can stay focused on learning and not give up.
FAQ
What Are The Top Reasons Students Leave The Physics Major?
They lose interest because of the lack of an interactive learning style, no room to feed curiosity, shortcomings of department culture, and a highly competitive atmosphere.
Do Students Who Leave Physics Majors Abandon STEM Entirely?
No. That’s one of the most important findings from the AIP survey: many shift to other STEM areas like engineering, computer science, etc., that they think is a better fit.
Are All Student Groups Affected By This Equally?
Retention is similar, but underrepresented groups often report more negative experiences and less encouragement from faculty.
Sources
- American Institute of Physics. (2025, August 7). AIP completes five-year study of student persistence in physics. https://www.aip.org/aip/aip-completes-five-year-study-of-student-persistence-in-physics
- Physics Magazine. (2025, August 7). Why students leave physics. https://physics.aps.org/articles/v17/135
- American Institute of Physics. (2025). Attrition and persistence in undergraduate physics programs. https://www.aip.org/statistics/attrition-and-persistence-in-undergraduate-physics-programs
