2025 Best Physical Sciences Schools

1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA

It is hard to beat Massachusetts Institute of Technology if you want to pursue a degree in physical sciences. Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, MIT is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means MIT is a great school overall.

There were about 227 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at MIT in the most recent year we have data available. Those physical sciences students who get their degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn $24,341 more than the average physical sciences graduate.

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in physical sciences. Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were approximately 263 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available. Physical Sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University receive an earnings boost of about $19,008 over the average income of physical sciences majors.

3

University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

It is difficult to beat University of California - Berkeley if you want to pursue a degree in physical sciences. UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were approximately 547 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley get an earnings boost of about $23,907 over the typical income of physical sciences majors.

4

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in physical sciences. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 4th out of 103 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 59 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh in the most recent year we have data available.

5

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

U-M is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were about 379 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the physical sciences program at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor get $7,080 more than the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

6

University of California - Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 431 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the physical sciences program make around $45,852 in the first couple years of their career.

7

Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY

Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 251 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, physical sciences degree recipients usually earn an average of $34,658 in the first five years of their career.

8

University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI

Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were approximately 377 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available. Physical Sciences degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Madison receive an earnings boost of around $10,919 over the average income of physical sciences majors.

9

University of California - San Diego
La Jolla, CA

UCSD is a very large public university located in the large city of La Jolla. This university ranks 8th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 628 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent data year. Those physical sciences students who get their degree from University of California - San Diego make $7,555 more than the typical physical sciences grad.

10

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY

RPI is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Troy. This school ranks 6th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 83 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at RPI in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the physical sciences program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn $13,345 above the average college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

11

University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

Located in the large suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were about 120 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available. Those physical sciences students who get their degree from University of Notre Dame make $37,649 more than the standard physical sciences student.

12

University of California - Irvine
Irvine, CA

UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the city of Irvine. This university ranks 12th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 350 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences degree recipients from University of California - Irvine earn a boost of around $3,738 over the average earnings of physical sciences graduates.

13

Duke University
Durham, NC

Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were approximately 153 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the physical sciences program report average early career wages of $29,748.

14

University of California - Davis
Davis, CA

Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 243 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent data year. After graduating, physical sciences degree recipients typically earn around $47,719 in the first five years of their career.

15

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were approximately 276 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the physical sciences program make an average of $48,553 for their early career.

16

University of Rochester
Rochester, NY

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 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 191 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent year we have data available.

17

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were about 256 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the physical sciences program earn about $37,833 for their early career.

18

Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College is a large private not-for-profit college located in the city of Chestnut Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Boston College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 65 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent year we have data available.

19

University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

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 approximately 376 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available. Physical Sciences degree recipients from University of Arizona receive an earnings boost of about $16,825 above the typical income of physical sciences graduates.

20

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 342 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the physical sciences program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign get $10,062 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

21

University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 390 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Those physical sciences students who get their degree from University of California - Los Angeles receive $13,089 more than the typical physical sciences graduate.

22

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public university located in the small city of Chapel Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #38 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were roughly 275 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the physical sciences program report average early career income of $43,148.

23

Texas A&M University - College Station
College Station, TX

Located in the city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 363 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the physical sciences program at Texas A&M University - College Station get $3,114 more than the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

23

University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #35 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 236 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the physical sciences program earn around $30,599 for their early career.

25

University of Delaware
Newark, DE

UD is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Newark. This university ranks 1st out of 3 schools for overall quality in the state of Delaware.

There were roughly 115 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UD in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences degree recipients from University of Delaware earn a boost of about $24,176 above the typical income of physical sciences majors.