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2025 Best Physics Master's Degree Schools in North Carolina

4 Colleges in North Carolina
92 Master's Degrees
$79,066 Avg Early-Career Salary
Physics is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #70 most popular master's degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 4 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Physics Master's Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 92 master's degrees in physics to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Physics School for Your Master's Degree

Best Physics Master's Degree Schools in North Carolina Your choice of physics for getting your master's degree school matters. 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:

Overall Quality Is a Must

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 for a Master's Degree 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 Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your master's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

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 schools for physics students working on their master's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Physics Master's Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

Best Schools for Master’s Students to Study Physics in North Carolina

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in physics.

Top North Carolina Schools for a Master's in Physics

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
33 Annual Graduates

It's hard to beat Duke University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in physics. Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a master’s in physics from Duke University

2
17 Annual Graduates

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a great option for individuals pursuing a master's degree in physics. Located in the city of Charlotte, UNC Charlotte is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in physics from University of North Carolina at Charlotte

3
11 Annual Graduates

It is hard to beat North Carolina State University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in physics. NC State is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Raleigh.More information about a master’s in physics from North Carolina State University

4

Every student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in physics has to check out Appalachian State University. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduation, physics master's recipients usually make an average of $79,066 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in physics from Appalachian State University

Best Physics Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Florida 208 51
Georgia 190 26
Virginia 182 41
Tennessee 166 18
Alabama 151 20
Kentucky 147 8
Louisiana 147 11
South Carolina 146 5
Mississippi 145 13
Arkansas 121 2
West Virginia 112 10

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Physics is one of 8 different types of Physical Sciences programs to choose from.

Physics Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Physics 54
Other Physics 29
Optics/Optical Sciences 9

Related Major Annual Graduates
Chemistry 73
Geological & Earth Sciences 57
Other Physical Science 13
Materials Sciences 12

Notes and References

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