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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California

169 Ranked Colleges
8,381 Degrees Awarded
$36,900 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 50,306 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $39,880 and had an average of $22,620 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 8,381 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,416 and $18,590 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California” ranking looked at 169 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physical sciences. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their physical sciences program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California” 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.

Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california physical sciences students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Physical Sciences in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 143 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Caltech Physical Sciences Report

2
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Pomona College. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California. Pomona is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Pomona College

3
Harvey Mudd College crest
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvey Mudd College. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California. Harvey Mudd College is a small school located in Claremont, California that handed out 15 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Harvey Mudd College

4

Out of the 169 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 343 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

5
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Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Occidental College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California list. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 25 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Oxy Physical Sciences Report

6

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 400 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UCSB

7
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

With a ranking of #7, Stanford University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California list. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 243 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Stanford University Physical Sciences Report

8

University of California - San Diego landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 598 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UCSD

9
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Westmont College
Santa Barbara, California

Westmont College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking. Westmont is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Westmont

10

University of California - Merced landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking. UC Merced is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 92 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Merced

11

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 560 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Berkeley

12
American River crest
American River College
Sacramento, California

American River College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking, coming in at #12. American River is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 148 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Full American River College Physical Sciences Report

13
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El Camino College
Torrance, California

El Camino College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Torrance, California, this fairly large public school awarded 140 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at El Camino College

14
Compton College crest
Compton College
Compton, California

Compton College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking, coming in at #14. Compton College is a small school located in Compton, California that handed out 22 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Compton College

15
Scripps crest
Scripps College
Claremont, California

Scripps College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Scripps College

16
Monterey Peninsula College crest
Monterey Peninsula College
Monterey, California

With a ranking of #16, Monterey Peninsula College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California list. Monterey Peninsula College is a medium-sized public school situated in Monterey, California. It awarded 46 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Monterey Peninsula College

17
Irvine Valley College crest
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, California

Irvine Valley College ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California list. This fairly large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 145 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Irvine Valley College

18
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College of San Mateo
San Mateo, California

College of San Mateo landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking. Located in San Mateo, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 35 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Full CSM Physical Sciences Report

19

University of California - Riverside ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California list. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 225 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCR Physical Sciences Report

20
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

With a ranking of #20, Pitzer College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California list. Pitzer College is a small school located in Claremont, California that handed out 7 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Pitzer College

21

University of California - Irvine came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 367 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Irvine Physical Sciences Report

22
Whittier crest
Whittier College
Whittier, California

Whittier College ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California list. This small school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 13 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Whittier College

23
Cuyamaca College crest
Cuyamaca College
El Cajon, California

Cuyamaca College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking. Cuyamaca College is located in El Cajon, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Cuyamaca College

24
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California ranking. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Humboldt State University

25
Columbia Junior College crest
Columbia College
Sonora, California

Columbia College ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California list. Columbia College is a small public school situated in Sonora, California. It awarded 14 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Columbia College Physical Sciences Report

Rest of the Best 26 in Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in California

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26

Notes and References

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