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2025 Best Physics Schools

159 Colleges in the United States
13,447 Physics Degrees Awarded
$52,956 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in physics is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #68 out of 395 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 159 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physics students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 13,447 degrees in physics to qualified students.

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

Choosing a Great Physics School

Best Physics Schools Your choice of physics school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Physics School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

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

Physics Rankings by Degree Level

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

The 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 Physics Schools. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Physics in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of physics degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Physics

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
112 Physics Degrees Awarded
$54,773 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in physics needs to look into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge, MIT is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means MIT is a great school overall.

There were approximately 112 physics students who graduated with this degree at MIT in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the physics program state that they receive average early career income of $54,773.

More information about a degree in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MD
78 Physics Degrees Awarded

Johns Hopkins University is a great choice for students interested in a degree in physics. Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were about 78 physics students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physics from Johns Hopkins University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IN
71 Physics Degrees Awarded

Any student who is interested in physics needs to look into University of Notre Dame. 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 #29 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were about 71 physics students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available.

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

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
120 Physics Degrees Awarded
1.7% Growth in Graduates

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a wonderful option for students pursuing a degree in physics. U-M is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 120 physics students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Those physics students who get their degree from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor make $2,042 more than the average physics grad.

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

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
60 Physics Degrees Awarded
$60,348 Median Starting Salary

RPI is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Troy. This school ranks 6th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 60 physics students who graduated with this degree at RPI in the most recent data year. Physics degree recipients from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute receive an earnings boost of about $7,392 over the average income of physics majors.

More information about a degree in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In NY
51 Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 51 physics students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physics from Columbia University in the City of New York

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
109 Physics Degrees Awarded
11.9% Growth in Graduates

Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were roughly 109 physics students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, physics degree recipients usually make around $50,933 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in physics from Cornell University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
159 Physics Degrees Awarded
$107,496 Median Starting Salary

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

There were roughly 159 physics students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available. Those physics students who get their degree from University of Arizona receive $54,540 more than the average physics grad.

More information about a degree in physics from University of Arizona

9
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In NC
80 Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were about 80 physics students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physics from Duke University

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NY
110 Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 110 physics students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in physics from University of Rochester

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
152 Physics Degrees Awarded
$63,762 Median Starting Salary

UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were approximately 152 physics students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Physics degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley earn a boost of about $10,805 over the average earnings of physics majors.

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

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
71 Physics Degrees Awarded
$48,951 Median Starting Salary

UCSD is a fairly large public university located in the large city of La Jolla. This university ranks 8th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 71 physics students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, physics degree recipients typically make about $48,951 in their early careers.

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

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
121 Physics Degrees Awarded
$43,144 Median Starting Salary

UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the city of Irvine. This university ranks 12th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 121 physics students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the physics program report average early career income of $43,144.

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

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
194 Physics Degrees Awarded
$53,597 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 194 physics students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, physics degree recipients usually make around $53,597 in the first five years of their career.

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

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In VA
71 Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #35 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were about 71 physics students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physics from University of Virginia - Main Campus

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
98 Physics Degrees Awarded
$36,878 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 46 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were about 98 physics students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. After graduation, physics degree recipients typically make around $36,878 in the first five years of their career.

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

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
65 Physics Degrees Awarded
$54,350 Median Starting Salary

Located in the 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 about 65 physics students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the physics program state that they receive average early career wages of $54,350.

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

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
59 Physics Degrees Awarded
3.4% Growth in Graduates

UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #38 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were approximately 59 physics students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. Physics degree recipients from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill receive an earnings boost of about $9,691 above the average earnings of physics majors.

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

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
133 Physics Degrees Awarded
14.3% Growth in Graduates

Ohio State is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Columbus. This university ranks 1st out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 133 physics students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the physics program at Ohio State University - Main Campus get $30,444 above the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

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

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In CA
97 Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 97 physics students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent year we have data available.

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

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
119 Physics Degrees Awarded
$62,745 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 119 physics students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Physics degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles receive an earnings boost of around $9,789 above the average earnings of physics graduates.

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

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
209 Physics Degrees Awarded
$41,474 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 50 schools for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were roughly 209 physics students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the physics program earn an average of $41,474 in the first couple years of working.

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

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MA
70 Physics Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Amherst, UMass Amherst is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were about 70 physics students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent data year.

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

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
93 Physics Degrees Awarded
$52,329 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 93 physics students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, physics degree recipients typically make an average of $52,329 at the beginning of their careers.

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

25
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In MA
42 Physics Degrees Awarded

Boston U is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Boston. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.

There were approximately 42 physics students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in physics from Boston University

Rest of the Top Best Physics Schools

26
27
28
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
29
30
31
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Physics Schools award.

Rank College Location
32 Iowa State University Ames, IA
33 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY
34 University of Delaware Newark, DE
35 University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH
36 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
37 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
38 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH
39 Clemson University Clemson, SC
40 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
41 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
42 Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA
43 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
44 University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA
45 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
46 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
47 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
48 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
49 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
50 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
51 New York University New York, NY
52 Whitworth University Spokane, WA
53 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC

Physics by Region

View the Best 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 >

Physics is one of 8 different types of Physical Sciences programs to choose from.

Physics Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Physics 12,551
Other Physics 502
Optics/Optical Sciences 220
Acoustics 121
Theoretical & Mathematical Physics 33
Atomic/Molecular Physics 7
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics 6
Elementary Particle Physics 5
Nuclear Physics 2

View All Physics Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Physics

Related Major Annual Graduates
Chemistry 20,985
Geological & Earth Sciences 8,124
General Physical Sciences 3,141
Astronomy & Astrophysics 1,396
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology 1,183
Materials Sciences 642
Other Physical Science 500
Physics and Astronomy 55

View All Physics Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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