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2026 Best General Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region

3 Colleges in the United States
875 General Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$46,846 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Physical Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 73 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general physical sciences students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Physical Sciences 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 general physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Physical Sciences

1

University Of California Santa Cruz is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general physical sciences. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 general physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physical sciences degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $40,920 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Get the full general physical sciences details for University Of California Santa Cruz

2

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. About 41 general physical sciences degrees were awarded at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Read more about the general physical sciences program at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom

3
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA

Students looking for a strong general physical sciences program will find one at Clark College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 32 general physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Clark College in the most recent data year. General Physical Sciences graduates of Clark College earn a median of $43,768 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,432. More information about a degree in general physical sciences from Clark College

4

Seattle Community College North Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physical sciences, ranking #4. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 23 general physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College North Campus in the most recent data year. General Physical Sciences graduates of Seattle Community College North Campus earn a median of $48,739 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physical sciences from Seattle Community College North Campus

5
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

A rank of #5 makes Bellevue College one of the top schools for general physical sciences. Located in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public university. About 22 general physical sciences degrees were awarded at Bellevue College in the most recent year. General Physical Sciences graduates of Bellevue College earn a median of $67,771 early in their careers. Bellevue College graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physical sciences from Bellevue College

6

Shoreline Community College earned the #6 position for general physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 22 general physical sciences degrees were awarded at Shoreline Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Shoreline Community College generally make around $62,009. Typical student debt for the program is $16,700. Read more about the general physical sciences program at Shoreline Community College

7

Green River Community College earned the #7 position for general physical sciences this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. Green River Community College awarded about 44 general physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. See the full general physical sciences program report for Green River Community College

8

Highline Community College landed the #8 spot for general physical sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Des Moines. About 33 general physical sciences degrees were awarded at Highline Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. Highline Community College graduates carry a median of $8,958 in student loans. Get the full general physical sciences details for Highline Community College

9

Columbia Basin College came in at #9 for general physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public university. Columbia Basin College awarded about 11 general physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physical sciences degree from Columbia Basin College earn around $63,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physical sciences from Columbia Basin College

10

Cascadia Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general physical sciences schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Bothell. Cascadia Community College awarded about 23 general physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. General Physical Sciences graduates of Cascadia Community College earn a median of $27,352 early in their careers. Cascadia Community College graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. See the full general physical sciences program report for Cascadia Community College

11
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College earned the #11 position for general physical sciences this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. There were roughly 116 general physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at American River College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physical sciences 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. See the full general physical sciences program report for American River College

12

Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #12 spot for general physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Seattle Community College Central Campus awarded about 76 general physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physical sciences program make about $53,048 in their early career. Seattle Community College Central Campus graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Read more about the general physical sciences program at Seattle Community College Central Campus

13

El Camino Community College District earned the #13 position for general physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. El Camino Community College District awarded about 86 general physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the general physical sciences program at El Camino Community College District

14

Seattle Community College South Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general physical sciences schools. Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. About 16 general physical sciences degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College South Campus in the most recent year. See the full general physical sciences program report for Seattle Community College South Campus

15
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College earned the #15 position for general physical sciences this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 46 general physical sciences degrees were awarded at Long Beach City College in the most recent year. Long Beach City College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Get the full general physical sciences details for Long Beach City College

16
Western Nevada College crest
Western Nevada College
Carson City, NV

Western Nevada College landed the #16 spot for general physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Carson City, Western Nevada College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 136 general physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Western Nevada College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Western Nevada College generally make around $27,007. Typical student debt for the program is $15,948. See the full general physical sciences program report for Western Nevada College

17
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College earned the #17 position for general physical sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Mount Vernon. About 21 general physical sciences degrees were awarded at Skagit Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $44,860. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete this degree. Get the full general physical sciences details for Skagit Valley College

18

South Puget Sound Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public university. South Puget Sound Community College awarded about 25 general physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physical sciences program make about $39,430 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,245. See the full general physical sciences program report for South Puget Sound Community College

19

Edmonds Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public institution. Edmonds Community College awarded about 21 general physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physical sciences program make about $35,618 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,025 to complete this degree. Get the full general physical sciences details for Edmonds Community College

20
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College earned the #20 position for general physical sciences this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. About 16 general physical sciences degrees were awarded at Chaffey College in the most recent year. General Physical Sciences graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Chaffey College graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physical sciences from Chaffey College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 73 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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