by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region to determine which ones were the best for physics students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 1,476 bachelor's degrees in physics to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of physics for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for physics students working on their bachelor'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 Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for physics students seeking a a bachelor's degree.
Johns Hopkins University is a wonderful decision for students interested in a bachelor's degree in physics. Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in physics from Johns Hopkins University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a good option for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in physics. Located in the small city of Troy, RPI is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the physics program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute get $15,351 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
It is difficult to beat Cornell University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in physics. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.
Physics bachelor's degree recipients from Cornell University receive an earnings boost of about $5,936 above the typical income of physics majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from Cornell University
Columbia University in the City of New York is one of the best schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in physics. Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York.More information about a bachelor’s in physics from Columbia University in the City of New York
University of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Rochester.More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of Rochester
Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the physics program make an average of $39,825 for their early career.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of Maryland - College Park
Located in the suburb of Rochester, RIT is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the physics program at Rochester Institute of Technology make $3,377 more than the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from Rochester Institute of Technology
NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York.
After graduating, physics bachelor's recipients usually earn around $24,802 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from New York University
Located in the suburb of Newark, UD is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Those physics students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Delaware receive $7,744 more than the average physics grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from University of Delaware
Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the physics program earn an average of $35,689 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a bachelor’s in physics from Rutgers University - New BrunswickExplore the best physics colleges for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 275 | 741 |
| Pennsylvania | 274 | 439 |
| Maryland | 207 | 193 |
| New Jersey | 193 | 206 |
| Delaware | 130 | 20 |
| District of Columbia | 126 | 44 |
One of 8 majors within the Physical Sciences area of study, Physics has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Physics | 1,405 |
| Acoustics | 33 |
| Other Physics | 21 |
| Optics/Optical Sciences | 14 |
| Theoretical & Mathematical Physics | 3 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 1,974 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 863 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 167 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 164 |
| General Physical Sciences | 123 |
| Materials Sciences | 107 |
| Other Physical Science | 96 |
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