2026 Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools in the Far Western Region
Engineering & Applied Physics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best engineering & applied physics schools.
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Best Schools for Engineering & Applied Physics in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the engineering & applied physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Engineering & Applied Physics
No school ranked higher than University Of California Berkeley this year for engineering & applied physics. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 12 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering & applied physics degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $70,847 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #2 makes California Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for engineering & applied physics. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering & applied physics program make about $173,344 in their early career.
More information about a degree in engineering & applied physics from California Institute Of Technology
Biola University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in engineering & applied physics, ranking #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Mirada. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. Biola University graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for Biola University
Students looking for a strong engineering & applied physics program will find one at University Of Oregon, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 28 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering & applied physics degree from University Of Oregon earn around $98,640 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,034.
Get the full engineering & applied physics details for University Of Oregon
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 16 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.