by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 30 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Physics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,570 bachelor's degrees in physics to qualified students.
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. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
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.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete 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.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Physics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in physics.
University of California - San Diego is one of the best schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in physics. UCSD is a fairly large public university located in the city of La Jolla.
Soon after graduating, physics bachelor's recipients usually earn an average of $48,951 in their early careers.
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 has to look into University of California - Berkeley. UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley.
Soon after graduating, physics bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $50,219 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - Berkeley
University of California - Irvine is a great choice for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in physics. UC Irvine is a very large public university located in the large city of Irvine.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the physics program earn around $43,144 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - Irvine
University of California - Santa Barbara is a great option for students pursuing a bachelor's degree in physics. Located in the 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 make $4,137 above the standard 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 large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the physics program earn an average of $41,474 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population.
Physics bachelor's degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles receive an earnings boost of around $11,035 over the average income of physics graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - Los Angeles
Located in the small 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 large public university located in the city of Santa Cruz.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the physics program state that they receive average early career earnings of $37,859.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of California - Santa Cruz
Whitworth is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Spokane.
Bachelor's recipients from the physics program at Whitworth University get $15,856 above the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from Whitworth UniversityExplore the best physics schools for a specific state in the Far Western US Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| California | 262 | 1,225 |
| 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 | 1,445 |
| Other Physics | 122 |
| Theoretical & Mathematical Physics | 3 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 2,174 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 1,044 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 192 |
| General Physical Sciences | 91 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 83 |
| Materials Sciences | 41 |
| Other Physical Science | 10 |
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