by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 13 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Physical Sciences Master's Degree Schools in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 879 master's degrees in physical sciences to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The physical sciences master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality physical sciences program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
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.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
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 schools for physical sciences students working on their master'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 Physical Sciences Master's Degree Schools in California list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for physical sciences students seeking a a master's degree.
University of California - Berkeley is a great choice for individuals interested in a master's degree in physical sciences. UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the city of Berkeley.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of California - Berkeley
Every student who is interested in a master's degree in physical sciences needs to look into University of California - Los Angeles. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of California - Los Angeles
Any student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in physical sciences needs to look into University of California - Santa Barbara. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of California - Santa Barbara
Any student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in physical sciences needs to take a look at University of California - San Diego. UCSD is a fairly large public university located in the large city of La Jolla.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of California - San Diego
UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Irvine.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of California - Irvine
Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
SFSU is a very large public university located in the city of San Francisco.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from San Francisco State University
UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Santa Cruz.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of California - Santa Cruz
CSULB is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Long Beach.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from California State University - Long Beach
Located in the city of Riverside, UCR is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of California - Riverside
Explore all the Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 31 | 133 |
| Oregon | 29 | 141 |
| Hawaii | 27 | 31 |
| Nevada | 27 | 30 |
| Alaska | 21 | 21 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 277 |
| Physics | 243 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 215 |
| Materials Sciences | 66 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 46 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 19 |
| General Physical Sciences | 12 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 1 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 7,940 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 1,608 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 1,435 |
| Architecture & Related Services | 914 |
| Engineering Technologies | 690 |
| Natural Resources & Conservation | 458 |
| Agriculture & Agriculture Operations | 166 |
| Military Technologies & Applied Sciences | 152 |
