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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences

363 Colleges in the United States
6,971 Master's Degrees
$61,675 Avg Early-Career Salary
When it comes to popularity, a master's degree in physical sciences sits in the middle of the road, ranking #20 out of 37 majors in the country. So, it might take a little more work to find colleges and universities that offer the degree program.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 363 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for physical sciences students pursuing a master's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 6,971 master's degrees in physical sciences to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Physical Sciences School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in physical sciences matters. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences ranking is to help you make that choice.

A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for physical sciences, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

Associate Degrees in Physical Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Physical Sciences
Doctor's Degrees in Physical Sciences
Overall Popularity in Physical Sciences

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for physical sciences.


 

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in physical sciences. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Physical Sciences Students Working on Their Master's

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123 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

Johns Hopkins University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in physical sciences. Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Maryland.

There were approximately 123 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Johns Hopkins University

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118 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#10 Best Quality In CA

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of California - San Diego if you wish to pursue a master's degree in physical sciences. UCSD is a very large public university located in the city of La Jolla.

There were about 118 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of California - San Diego

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110 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

University of Arizona is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in physical sciences. Located in the large city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Arizona.

There were about 110 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Arizona

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NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
100 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at New York University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in physical sciences. Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in New York.

There were roughly 100 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from New York University

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100 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OR
#1 Best Quality In OR

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of Oregon if you want to pursue a master's degree in physical sciences. UO is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Eugene. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Oregon.

There were roughly 100 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UO in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Oregon

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Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
95 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#2 Best Quality In FL

Located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Florida.

There were roughly 95 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Florida State University

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Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
94 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

There were approximately 94 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Yale University

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91 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WA
#1 Best Quality In WA

Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Washington.

There were roughly 91 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

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90 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#1 Best Quality In MI

U-M is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Michigan.

There were roughly 90 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

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Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
88 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MS
#2 Best Quality In MS

Located in the remote town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Mississippi.

There were approximately 88 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Mississippi State in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Mississippi State University

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87 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#3 Best Quality In CA

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in California.

There were roughly 87 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of California - Los Angeles

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87 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Ithaca. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in New York.

There were about 87 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Cornell University

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Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
82 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NJ
#1 Best Quality In NJ

Princeton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Princeton. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in New Jersey.

There were approximately 82 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Princeton in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Princeton University

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81 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#4 Best Quality In CA

UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in California.

There were approximately 81 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of California - Berkeley

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76 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#2 Best Quality In TX

Located in the medium-sized city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Texas.

There were approximately 76 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Texas A&M University - College Station

16
75 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MN
#1 Best Quality In MN

Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Minnesota.

There were roughly 75 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

16
75 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In PA
#1 Best Quality In PA

Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 75 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Carnegie Mellon University

18
73 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in New York.

There were about 73 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Columbia University in the City of New York

19
69 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Illinois.

There were approximately 69 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Chicago

20
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
63 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
#2 Best Quality In CA

Stanford is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Stanford. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in California.

There were approximately 63 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Stanford University

21
60 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NY
#3 Best Quality In NY

Located in the midsize city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in New York.

There were roughly 60 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Rochester

22
58 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#2 Best Quality In CO

CU - Boulder is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Boulder. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Colorado.

There were about 58 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at CU - Boulder in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Colorado Boulder

23
57 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

Ohio State is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Columbus. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Ohio.

There were approximately 57 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Ohio State University - Main Campus

23
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
57 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TX
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Rice is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Houston.

There were approximately 57 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Rice University

25
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
55 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In RI
#1 Best Quality In RI

Located in the city of Providence, Brown is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physical sciences in Rhode Island.

There were roughly 55 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Brown University

25
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
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U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
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UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

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SUNY Stony Brook crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
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Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
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Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

 

Remaining Award Winners

This section represents the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 363 different United States physical sciences schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
50 University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA
50 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
50 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
53 Texas A&M University - Commerce Commerce, TX
53 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Physical Sciences students that almost earned our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences award.

Rank College Location
55 The Graduate Center, CUNY New York, NY
56 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
56 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
58 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA
58 Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OH
60 University of Delaware Newark, DE
61 University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL
61 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO
61 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
61 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
65 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
65 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
65 University at Albany Albany, NY
65 University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA
69 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
69 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
69 Boston University Boston, MA
69 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
69 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC

Physical Sciences by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Physical Sciences Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Chemistry 2,244
Physics 2,093
Geological & Earth Sciences 1,720
Materials Sciences 307
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology 227
Astronomy & Astrophysics 195
Other Physical Science 107
General Physical Sciences 41
Physics and Astronomy 37

Majors Similar to Physical Sciences

Related Major Annual Graduates
Computer & Information Sciences 51,856
Engineering 48,197
Biological & Biomedical Sciences 19,015
Mathematics & Statistics 12,100
Architecture & Related Services 6,837
Engineering Technologies 6,349
Natural Resources & Conservation 4,378
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations 3,136
Communications Technologies & Support 551
Science Technologies / Technicians 65

Notes and References

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