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2024 Best General Physics Schools

212 Colleges in the United States
12,875 General Physics Degrees Awarded
General Physics is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #60 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 212 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general physics students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 12,875 degrees in general physics during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great General Physics School

Best General Physics Schools The general physics program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Physics rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for general physics schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

General Physics Rankings by Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in General Physics
Master's Degrees in General Physics
Doctor's Degrees in General Physics

The general physics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best General Physics Schools. 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've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for General Physics in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general physics degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in General Physics

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In CA
51 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general physics. Stanford is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Stanford. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were roughly 51 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from Stanford University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IL
102 General Physics Degrees Awarded

University of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general physics. Located in the city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were roughly 102 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Chicago

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In IL
47 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Northwestern University is a great option for students pursuing a degree in general physics. Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were roughly 47 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from Northwestern University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
105 General Physics Degrees Awarded

It is difficult to beat University of Michigan - Ann Arbor if you wish to pursue a degree in general physics. U-M is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 105 general physics students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In AZ
49 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were about 49 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Arizona

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NY
96 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were roughly 96 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from Cornell University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In CA
123 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 123 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of California - Los Angeles

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CA
199 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 199 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of California - Santa Barbara

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
197 General Physics Degrees Awarded

UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were roughly 197 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of California - Berkeley

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MN
89 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 89 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WI
144 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were about 144 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Wisconsin - Madison

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MD
40 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were roughly 40 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from Johns Hopkins University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IL
106 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 106 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IN
53 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the large suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were about 53 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Notre Dame

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In CA
54 General Physics Degrees Awarded

UCSD is a very large public university located in the city of La Jolla. This university ranks 8th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 54 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of California - San Diego

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MD
109 General Physics Degrees Awarded

UMCP is a very large public university located in the large suburb of College Park. This university ranks 2nd out of 36 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were approximately 109 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Maryland - College Park

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MA
75 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Amherst, UMass Amherst is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 11th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 75 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Massachusetts Amherst

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In OH
113 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Ohio State is a very large public university located in the city of Columbus. This university ranks 2nd out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 113 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from Ohio State University - Main Campus

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In NY
59 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 59 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Rochester

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In CA
89 General Physics Degrees Awarded

UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the city of Irvine. This university ranks 15th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 89 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of California - Irvine

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In TX
111 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #36 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.

There were roughly 111 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general physics from The University of Texas at Austin

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WA
262 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 262 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In MA
34 General Physics Degrees Awarded

Northeastern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. This university ranks 7th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 34 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general physics from Northeastern University

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NC
57 General Physics Degrees Awarded

UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill. This university ranks 2nd out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 57 general physics students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general physics from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

25
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In NY
40 General Physics Degrees Awarded

RIT is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Rochester. This school ranks 22nd out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 40 general physics students who graduated with this degree at RIT in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general physics from Rochester Institute of Technology

Rest of the Top Best General Physics Schools

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27
28
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
29
30
31

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for General Physics students that almost earned our Best General Physics Schools award.

Rank College Location
32 Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA
33 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
34 University of California - Davis Davis, CA
35 Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL
36 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
37 University of Delaware Newark, DE
38 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
39 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY
40 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
41 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
42 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT

General Physics by Region

View the Best General Physics Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

General Physics is one of 9 different types of Physics programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Other Physics 467
Optics/Optical Sciences 196
Acoustics 96
Theoretical & Mathematical Physics 19
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics 8
Atomic/Molecular Physics 7
Elementary Particle Physics 3
Nuclear Physics 3

View All General Physics Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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