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2025 Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region

18 Colleges in the Plains States Region
2,897 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$47,003 Avg Early-Career Salary
Physical Sciences isn't the most popular major in the world, but it's not the least popular either. To be more precise it ranks #19 in popularity out of 38 majors in the country. As such, the degree program isn't offered at every college in the United States, but there are schools that do have a program in the field that are top-notch when it comes to quality.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 18 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,897 degrees in physical sciences to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Physical Sciences School

Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region The physical sciences program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Physical Sciences rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for physical sciences schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Physical Sciences Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in Physical Sciences
Master's Degrees in Physical Sciences
Doctor's Degrees in Physical Sciences

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to 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.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Physical Sciences in the Plains States Region

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

10 Top Plains States Region Schools in Physical Sciences

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
276 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$48,553 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat University of Minnesota - Twin Cities if you want to pursue a degree in physical sciences. UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #45 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were about 276 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the physical sciences program make about $48,553 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
135 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
4.4% Growth in Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in physical sciences has to take a look at Iowa State University. Iowa State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Ames. A Best Colleges rank of #88 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 135 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the physical sciences program state that they receive average early career income of $46,977.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from Iowa State University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NE
118 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in physical sciences needs to take a look at University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Located in the city of Lincoln, UNL is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #207 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UNL is a great university overall.

There were roughly 118 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UNL in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from University of Nebraska - Lincoln

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MO
98 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded

Washington University in St Louis is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in physical sciences. WUSTL is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were approximately 98 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from Washington University in St Louis

5
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
122 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$44,847 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.

There were approximately 122 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients typically earn around $44,847 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from University of Iowa

6
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
47 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$44,020 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant town of Northfield, St. Olaf is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 6th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 47 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at St. Olaf in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the physical sciences program make around $44,020 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from St Olaf College

7
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
79 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
22.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the distant town of Northfield, Carleton is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #245 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Carleton is a great college overall.

There were about 79 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Carleton in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the physical sciences program make an average of $40,371 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from Carleton College

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
73 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$44,674 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Duluth, UMN Duluth is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 17th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were approximately 73 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UMN Duluth in the most recent data year. After graduating, physical sciences degree recipients generally earn about $44,674 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from University of Minnesota - Duluth

9
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
109 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
2.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #192 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means KU is a great university overall.

There were about 109 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent data year. After graduating, physical sciences degree recipients generally make around $41,626 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from University of Kansas

10
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In MO
8.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 13th out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.

There were approximately 24 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lindenwood University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from Lindenwood University

Best Physical Sciences Colleges by State

Explore the best physical sciences colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Kansas 38 322
Minnesota 38 891
Iowa 38 426
South Dakota 38 144
Missouri 38 751
Nebraska 36 229
North Dakota 35 85

View All Rankings >

Physical Sciences Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Chemistry 1,501
Physics 721
Geological & Earth Sciences 482
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology 103
Astronomy & Astrophysics 38
Materials Sciences 25
General Physical Sciences 17
Other Physical Science 10

View All Physical Sciences Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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