Best Schools for Engineering & Applied Physics in the United States
These are the top schools for a master’s degree in engineering & applied physics, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Engineering & Applied Physics
Yale University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in engineering & applied physics. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Yale University awarded about 11 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering & applied physics program make about $74,578 in their early career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
More information about a degree in engineering & applied physics from Yale University
Students looking for a strong engineering & applied physics program will find one at California Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 22 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering & applied physics degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career.
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Students looking for a strong engineering & applied physics program will find one at Cornell University, which ranked #3. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 11 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree.
Read more about the engineering & applied physics program at Cornell University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best engineering & applied physics schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 28 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering & applied physics program make about $86,770 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Read more about the engineering & applied physics program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best engineering & applied physics schools. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 10 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering & applied physics program make about $72,858 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for Colorado School Of Mines
University Of Oregon landed the #6 spot for engineering & applied physics this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $98,640 early in their careers. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for University Of Oregon
Other Engineering & Applied Physics Degree Levels
Explore the best engineering & applied physics schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 142 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.