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2024 Best Physical Sciences Schools in Massachusetts

10 Colleges in Massachusetts
1,721 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$43,298 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 2024, College Factual analyzed 10 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Physical Sciences Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,721 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts Schools in Physical Sciences

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
190 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$51,675 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in physical sciences needs to look into University of Massachusetts Amherst. UMass Amherst is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Amherst. A Best Colleges rank of #81 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMass Amherst is a great university overall.

There were roughly 190 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent year we have data available. Those physical sciences students who get their degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst make $8,376 more than the standard physical sciences graduate.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from University of Massachusetts Amherst

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
84 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$54,138 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in physical sciences has to take a look at Northeastern University. Located in the large city of Boston, Northeastern is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #59 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northeastern is a great university overall.

There were about 84 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences degree recipients from Northeastern University receive an earnings boost of around $10,840 over the typical earnings of physical sciences graduates.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from Northeastern University

3
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
113 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$34,787 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in physical sciences needs to check out Boston University. Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.

There were roughly 113 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the physical sciences program report average early career income of $34,787.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from Boston University

4
Williams crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
63 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$35,668 Median Starting Salary

Williams College is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences. Williams is a small private not-for-profit college located in the town of Williamstown. A Best Colleges rank of #68 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Williams is a great college overall.

There were approximately 63 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Williams in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the physical sciences program make about $35,668 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from Williams College

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
71 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
5.6% Growth in Graduates

UMass Lowell is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Lowell. This university ranks 21st out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 71 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UMass Lowell in the most recent year we have data available. Those physical sciences students who get their degree from University of Massachusetts - Lowell make $4,808 more than the standard physical sciences student.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from University of Massachusetts - Lowell

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
62 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
12.9% Growth in Graduates

Brandeis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Waltham. A Best Colleges rank of #99 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Brandeis is a great university overall.

There were approximately 62 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Brandeis in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the physical sciences program make an average of $36,774 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from Brandeis University

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
41 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$41,359 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Worcester, Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 15th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were about 41 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Holy Cross in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the physical sciences program earn around $41,359 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from College of the Holy Cross

8
Smith crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
47 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$38,143 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Northampton, Smith is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 19th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were approximately 47 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Smith in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the physical sciences program report average early career wages of $38,143.

More information about a degree in physical sciences from Smith College

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
49 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
18.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 26th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were approximately 49 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the physical sciences program earn about $41,520 in the first couple years of working.

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

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$40,068 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

Salem State is a moderately-sized public university located in the large suburb of Salem. This university ranks 37th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 13 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Salem State in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the physical sciences program make about $40,068 for their early career.

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

Best Physical Sciences Colleges in the New England Region

Explore all the Best Physical Sciences Colleges in the New England Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
New Hampshire 37 255
Maine 37 190
Rhode Island 37 210
Connecticut 35 627
Vermont 34 111

View All Rankings >

Physical Sciences Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Chemistry 744
Physics 679
Geological & Earth Sciences 153
Astronomy & Astrophysics 108
Materials Sciences 22
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology 7
General Physical Sciences 4
Other Physical Science 4

View All Physical Sciences Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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