2026 Best Physical Science Schools in California
Physical Science 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 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physical science schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Physical Science in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical science education in California.
Top Schools in Physical Science
No school ranked higher than University Of California Santa Cruz this year for physical science. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 65 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans.
Get the full physical science details for University Of California Santa Cruz
Students looking for a strong physical science program will find one at American River College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. American River College awarded about 116 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from American River College earn around $76,077 in the first couple years of their career. American River College graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans.
Read more about the physical science program at American River College
El Camino Community College District is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. El Camino Community College District awarded about 86 physical science degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the physical science program at El Camino Community College District
Long Beach City College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. About 46 physical science degrees were awarded at Long Beach City College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical science from Long Beach City College
Chaffey College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 16 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Chaffey College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Chaffey College earn around $23,532 in the first couple years of their career. Chaffey College graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans.
Read more about the physical science program at Chaffey College
More Physical Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 40 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.
