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2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics in the Southeast Region

42 Ranked Colleges
369 Degrees Awarded
$33,900 Avg Cost*
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2021-2022, 13,447 people earned their degree in physics, making the major the 68th most popular in the United States. In , physics graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $42,912 and had an average of $22,477 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 2,179 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,858 and $21,629 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 369 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,674 and $121,130 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region” ranking, we looked at 42 colleges that offer a degree in physics. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in physics.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics in the Southeast Region

1
Hampton crest
Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia

Out of the 42 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Hampton University landed the #1 spot on the list. Hampton, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 2 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at Hampton University

2
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Physics at Duke

3

Out of the 42 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #3 spot on the list. Louisiana State University is a public institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

4
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wake Forest University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 3 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Wake Forest University Physics Report

5
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend William & Mary. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at William & Mary

6

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 20 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

7

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #7 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read more about Physics at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

8
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Clemson is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 8 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Clemson University

9
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physics at University of Virginia

10
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Physics at Virginia Tech

11
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Florida State Physics Report

12

University of Alabama in Huntsville did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #12. University of Alabama in Huntsville is a medium-sized school located in Huntsville, Alabama that handed out 3 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at UAH

13
UofL crest
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky

University of Louisville came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. UofL is located in Louisville, Kentucky and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at UofL

14
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Vanderbilt is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 5 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Vanderbilt University Physics Report

15

With a ranking of #15, Alabama A & M University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in Normal, Alabama, this medium-sized public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at AAMU

16
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #16. WVU is a large school located in Morgantown, West Virginia that handed out 14 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full WVU Physics Report

17
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at North Carolina State University

18
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

Old Dominion University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #18. Old Dominion is a large public school situated in Norfolk, Virginia. It awarded 8 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at Old Dominion

19

University of Central Florida did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #19. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 11 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physics at UCF

20
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida

University of Miami landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. University of Miami is a fairly large school located in Coral Gables, Florida that handed out 6 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Miami Physics Report

21
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Ole Miss is a large school located in University, Mississippi that handed out 5 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physics at University of Mississippi

22
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 9 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UARK Physics Report

23
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Emory is a fairly large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 8 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Emory University Physics Report

24
Tulane crest
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana

With a ranking of #24, Tulane University of Louisiana did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Physics at Tulane University of Louisiana

25
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama

Auburn University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physics Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Auburn is a public institution located in Auburn, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physics at Auburn

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