by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 12 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Physics Master's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 302 master's degrees in physics to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The physics master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
The overall quality of a master's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a school's overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking which itself looks at a combination of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for physics students working on their master's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Physics Master's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for physics students seeking a a master's degree.
It's hard to beat University of California - Berkeley if you want to pursue a master's degree in physics. Located in the city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in physics from University of California - Berkeley
Any student who is interested in a master's degree in physics has to look into University of California - Santa Barbara. UCSB is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Santa Barbara.More information about a master’s in physics from University of California - Santa Barbara
University of California - Los Angeles is a good option for individuals interested in a master's degree in physics. UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles.More information about a master’s in physics from University of California - Los Angeles
It is difficult to beat University of California - San Diego if you want to pursue a master's degree in physics. Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in physics from University of California - San Diego
UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the large city of Seattle.More information about a master’s in physics from University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Located in the small city of Santa Cruz, UC Santa Cruz is a public university with a large student population.More information about a master’s in physics from University of California - Santa Cruz
Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in physics from San Francisco State University
Located in the medium-sized city of Eugene, UO is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in physics from University of Oregon
Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in physics from California State University - Long Beach
Cal State Fullerton is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Fullerton.More information about a master’s in physics from California State University - Fullerton
Explore the best physics colleges for a specific state in the Far Western US Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| California | 253 | 253 |
| Washington | 183 | 40 |
| Oregon | 158 | 46 |
| Nevada | 105 | 4 |
| Hawaii | 85 | 2 |
| Alaska | 52 | 0 |
One of 8 majors within the Physical Sciences area of study, Physics has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Physics | 283 |
| Other Physics | 19 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 360 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 321 |
| Materials Sciences | 72 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 65 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 36 |
| General Physical Sciences | 12 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 1 |
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