2026 Best General Physics Schools in North Carolina
General Physics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 20 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general physics students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for General Physics in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general physics education in North Carolina.
Top Schools in General Physics
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for general physics. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 27 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general physics from Duke University
Davidson College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Davidson College graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general physics from Davidson College
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #3. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 46 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $62,647 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,200.
More information about a degree in general physics from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Students looking for a strong general physics program will find one at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 general physics students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $43,740. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans.
See the full general physics program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #5. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $70,150 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans.
See the full general physics program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates 54% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Asheville awarded about 10 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $31,821 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,108.
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Appalachian State University placed #7 among the best general physics schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $79,066. Typical student debt for the program is $22,096.
Get the full general physics details for Appalachian State University
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 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.