2027 Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Physics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physics programs.
College Factual analyzed 192 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physics schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Physics in the United States
See the highest-ranked physics schools offering a bachelor’s degree below.
Top Schools in Physics
University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physics. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 43 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Physics graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $68,215 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
Read more about the physics program at University Of Pennsylvania
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 58 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from Stanford University
Northwestern University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 physics degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $78,551 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Read more about the physics program at Northwestern University
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #4. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 83 physics degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $84,850 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physics from Johns Hopkins University
Rice University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 physics students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904.
Read more about the physics program at Rice University
Georgetown University landed the #6 spot for physics this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 14 physics students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Georgetown University earn around $79,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
See the full physics program report for Georgetown University
Washington University In St Louis placed #7 among the best physics schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 17 physics degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from Washington University In St Louis
Harvard University landed the #8 spot for physics this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 physics students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physics program at Harvard University
Yale University came in at #9 for physics this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Yale University awarded about 24 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
Read more about the physics program at Yale University
Brown University came in at #10 for physics this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 18 physics degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Brown University graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for Brown University
Princeton University placed #11 among the best physics schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 36 physics degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans.
Get the full physics details for Princeton University
Tufts University landed the #12 spot for physics this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 physics students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $68,154 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074.
Read more about the physics program at Tufts University
California Institute Of Technology landed the #13 spot for physics this year. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. About 22 physics degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344.
Get the full physics details for California Institute Of Technology
Boston College came in at #14 for physics this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 14 physics degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Boston College earn around $66,132 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,101.
See the full physics program report for Boston College
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #15 among the best physics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 12 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $65,183 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree.
Get the full physics details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Notre Dame ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,494 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physics from University Of Notre Dame
Middlebury College landed the #17 spot for physics this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Middlebury. About 91% of students finish within six years. Middlebury College awarded about 14 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Middlebury College earn around $54,713 in the first couple years of their career. Middlebury College graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for Middlebury College
University Of California Berkeley earned the #18 position for physics this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 101 physics degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $50,219 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,508 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physics from University Of California Berkeley
Bowdoin College earned the #19 position for physics this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bowdoin College graduates 95% of students within six years. Bowdoin College awarded about 13 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. Typical student debt for the program is $20,658.
Get the full physics details for Bowdoin College
University Of Chicago came in at #20 for physics this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
More information about a degree in physics from University Of Chicago
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #21 among the best physics schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 53 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $54,773 in their early career. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Colgate University landed the #22 spot for physics this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 physics students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $52,924 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree.
Get the full physics details for Colgate University
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 physics students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $53,329 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,522 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physics from Texas A And M University College Station
University Of California Irvine ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 67 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $43,144 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physics program at University Of California Irvine
Pepperdine University earned the #25 position for physics this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Pepperdine University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,645.
Get the full physics details for Pepperdine University
Rest of the Top 50 Physics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong physics education:
Honorable Mentions
These schools earned honorable mentions for physics:
- #51 — Wheaton College Illinois · Wheaton, IL
- #52 — College Of William And Mary · Williamsburg, VA
- #53 — Haverford College · Haverford, PA
- #54 — University Of California Davis · Davis, CA
- #55 — James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
- #56 — The College Of New Jersey · Ewing, NJ
- #57 — University Of Michigan Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI
- #58 — Kenyon College · Gambier, OH
- #59 — University Of Virginia Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA
- #60 — George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
Other Physics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Physics rankings across degree levels:
View All Physics Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 192 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.