by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 17 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Physics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,140 bachelor's degrees in physics during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The physics bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality physics program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their bachelor's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for physics students working on their bachelor's degree.
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Physics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in physics.
University of California - San Diego is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in physics. UCSD is a very large public university located in the city of La Jolla.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the physics program earn an average of $48,951 for their early career.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - San Diego
Any student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in physics needs to look into University of California - Berkeley. UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the physics program make around $50,219 for their early career.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - Berkeley
University of California - Irvine is a good option for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in physics. UC Irvine is a very large public university located in the city of Irvine.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the physics program state that they receive average early career earnings of $43,144.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - Irvine
University of California - Santa Barbara is a wonderful choice for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in physics. Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the physics degree program at University of California - Santa Barbara get $5,099 more than the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - Santa Barbara
Located in the suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - Davis
Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population.
Those physics students who get their bachelor's degree from University of California - Los Angeles earn $11,997 more than the typical physics student.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - Los Angeles
Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in physics from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public university located in the city of Santa Cruz.
After graduation, physics bachelor's recipients typically make about $37,859 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - Santa Cruz
SDSU is a very large public university located in the city of San Diego.More information about a bachelor’s in physics from San Diego State University
SFSU is a fairly large public university located in the city of San Francisco.More information about a bachelor’s in physics from San Francisco State University
Explore all the Best Physics Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 226 | 318 |
| Oregon | 185 | 123 |
| Nevada | 129 | 37 |
| Hawaii | 112 | 7 |
| Alaska | 75 | 3 |
Physics is one of 8 different types of Physical Sciences programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Physics | 1,037 |
| Other Physics | 100 |
| Theoretical & Mathematical Physics | 3 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 1,686 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 552 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 127 |
| General Physical Sciences | 82 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 50 |
| Materials Sciences | 41 |
| Other Physical Science | 10 |
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