2024 Best Physics Schools
220
Colleges in the United States
13,674
Physics Degrees Awarded
$42,960
Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in
physics is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #68 out of 395 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.
In 2024, College Factual analyzed 220 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Physics Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 13,674 degrees in physics during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Physics School
Your choice of physics school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Physics School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Physics Rankings by Degree Level
The physics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Physics Schools.
If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.
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.
If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.
Best Schools for Physics in the United States
The schools below may not offer all types of physics degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
25 Top Schools in Physics
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In CA
85
Physics Degrees Awarded
Every student pursuing a degree in physics has to take a look at Stanford University. Stanford is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Stanford. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.
There were about 85 physics students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in physics from Stanford University
Every student who is interested in physics has to check out University of Chicago. Located in the city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.
There were roughly 102 physics students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the physics degree program at University of Chicago earn $9,618 more than the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Chicago
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In IL
47
Physics Degrees Awarded
Any student pursuing a degree in physics has to take a look at Northwestern University. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.
There were approximately 47 physics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in physics from Northwestern University
Every student who is interested in physics needs to take a look at University of Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.
There were about 162 physics students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the physics program at University of Arizona get $51,051 above the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Arizona
U-M is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.
There were approximately 118 physics students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, physics degree recipients generally make about $42,728 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In MD
60
Physics Degrees Awarded
Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.
There were approximately 60 physics students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in physics from Johns Hopkins University
Cornell is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.
There were approximately 96 physics students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. After graduation, physics degree recipients usually earn around $38,630 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in physics from Cornell University
Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.
There were roughly 123 physics students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the physics program make around $42,865 for their early career.
More information about a degree in physics from University of California - Los Angeles
Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 199 physics students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent year we have data available. Physics degree recipients from University of California - Santa Barbara receive an earnings boost of around $6,903 over the average income of physics majors.
More information about a degree in physics from University of California - Santa Barbara
UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.
There were roughly 197 physics students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the physics major at University of California - Berkeley get $16,742 above the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in physics from University of California - Berkeley
Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were approximately 94 physics students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Physics degree recipients from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities receive an earnings boost of about $12,367 over the typical earnings of physics majors.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.
There were about 144 physics students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the physics major at University of Wisconsin - Madison earn $2,956 above the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Wisconsin - Madison
UCSD is a fairly large public university located in the city of La Jolla. This university ranks 8th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 82 physics students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the physics program report average early career income of $41,524.
More information about a degree in physics from University of California - San Diego
Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.
There were about 106 physics students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the physics degree program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign make $4,922 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In IN
59
Physics Degrees Awarded
Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.
There were roughly 59 physics students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Notre Dame
UMCP is a very large public university located in the large suburb of College Park. This university ranks 2nd out of 36 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland.
There were about 109 physics students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available. Those physics students who get their degree from University of Maryland - College Park receive $5,574 more than the typical physics grad.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Maryland - College Park
Located in the suburb of Amherst, UMass Amherst is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 11th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were about 75 physics students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent year we have data available. Those physics students who get their degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn $12,561 more than the average physics graduate.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Massachusetts Amherst
Ohio State is a very large public university located in the large city of Columbus. This university ranks 2nd out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were about 114 physics students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year. Those physics students who get their degree from Ohio State University - Main Campus receive $19,236 more than the average physics graduate.
More information about a degree in physics from Ohio State University - Main Campus
UC Irvine is a very large public university located in the large city of Irvine. This university ranks 15th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 121.99999999999999 physics students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the physics program state that they receive average early career earnings of $33,381.
More information about a degree in physics from University of California - Irvine
Located in the city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were about 118 physics students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent data year. Those physics students who get their degree from University of Rochester receive $46,817 more than the average physics graduate.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Rochester
Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.
There were approximately 111 physics students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the physics program make around $42,452 for their early career.
More information about a degree in physics from The University of Texas at Austin
Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.
There were about 262 physics students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the physics program make about $38,470 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in physics from University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
6th
Most Popular In MA
34
Physics Degrees Awarded
Northeastern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Boston. This university ranks 7th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were approximately 34 physics students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in physics from Northeastern University
UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public university located in the small city of Chapel Hill. This university ranks 2nd out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.
There were approximately 57 physics students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the physics program earn around $43,015 for their early career.
More information about a degree in physics from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.
There were approximately 130 physics students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the physics program make an average of $33,529 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in physics from New York University