Physical Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physical science programs.
College Factual analyzed 58 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physical science schools.
The physical science program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Physical Science rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by 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.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Physical Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Physical Science in the United States
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 physical science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Wesleyan University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physical science. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 16 physical science degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
More information about a degree in physical science from Wesleyan University
Students looking for a strong physical science program will find one at Cuny Graduate School And University Center, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. About 34 physical science degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $72,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921.
Read more about the physical science program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center
A rank of #3 makes Green River Community College one of the top schools for physical science. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 42 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Green River Community College in the most recent data year.
Get the full physical science details for Green River Community College
University Of California Santa Cruz is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 physical science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Physical Science graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,559.
See the full physical science program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
A rank of #5 makes Middlesex County College one of the top schools for physical science. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Middlesex County College awarded about 202 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $27,136. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical science from Middlesex County College
Villanova University came in at #6 for physical science this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 55 physical science degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Physical Science graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in physical science from Villanova University
Georgia Southern University earned the #7 position for physical science this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Statesboro. Georgia Southern University graduates 55% of students within six years. About 15 physical science degrees were awarded at Georgia Southern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $45,531 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
Read more about the physical science program at Georgia Southern University
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom came in at #8 for physical science this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. There were roughly 47 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. Typical student debt for the program is $17,154.
See the full physical science program report for Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Utah Valley University earned the #9 position for physical science this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 physical science degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Utah Valley University earn around $51,242 in the first couple years of their career. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans.
Get the full physical science details for Utah Valley University
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #10 for physical science this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. About 46% of students finish within six years. Cuny College Of Staten Island awarded about 51 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $51,911 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical science program at Cuny College Of Staten Island
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #11 position for physical science this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. About 20% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 88 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Medgar Evers College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $27,203. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete this degree.
See the full physical science program report for Cuny Medgar Evers College
Seattle Community College North Campus came in at #12 for physical science this year. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Community College North Campus awarded about 27 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $48,739 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical science from Seattle Community College North Campus
Bellevue College came in at #13 for physical science this year. Located in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public university. Bellevue College awarded about 44 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Bellevue College generally make around $67,771. Students borrow a median of $18,839 to complete this degree.
See the full physical science program report for Bellevue College
Clark College placed #14 among the best physical science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Vancouver. There were roughly 23 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Clark College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $43,768. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical science from Clark College
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Rochester Institute Of Technology awarded about 13 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Science graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans.
Get the full physical science details for Rochester Institute Of Technology
Chadron State College landed the #16 spot for physical science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Chadron. About 50% of students finish within six years. Chadron State College awarded about 18 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Chadron State College earn around $47,254 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,912.
See the full physical science program report for Chadron State College
Shoreline Community College came in at #17 for physical science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Shoreline. There were roughly 20 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Shoreline Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Shoreline Community College earn around $62,009 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,700.
Read more about the physical science program at Shoreline Community College
Columbia Basin College came in at #18 for physical science this year. Columbia Basin College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Columbia Basin College awarded about 19 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete this degree.
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Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #19 spot for physical science this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Cuny Laguardia Community College awarded about 48 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Cuny Laguardia Community College earn around $19,815 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
See the full physical science program report for Cuny Laguardia Community College
Arizona State University landed the #20 spot for physical science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Arizona State University earn around $41,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical science details for Arizona State University
Cascadia Community College came in at #21 for physical science this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Cascadia Community College awarded about 33 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cascadia Community College generally make around $27,352. Cascadia Community College graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans.
See the full physical science program report for Cascadia Community College
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #22 spot for physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. There were roughly 40 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Glendale Community College Glendale Az graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical science from Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #23 among the best physical science schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 64 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $53,048 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,699.
More information about a degree in physical science from Seattle Community College Central Campus
American River College earned the #24 position for physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. About 105 physical science degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Physical Science graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105.
See the full physical science program report for American River College
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #25 among the best physical science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chandler. There were roughly 46 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447.
Get the full physical science details for Chandler Gilbert Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Physical Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for physical science this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 58 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).
