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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physics

247 Colleges in the United States
2,093 Master's Degrees
$73,100 Avg Early-Career Salary
A master's degree in physics is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #70 out of 326 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 247 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physics ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 2,093 master's degrees in physics during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Physics School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physics The physics master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. We created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physics ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for physics, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Physics
Bachelor's Degrees in Physics
Doctor's Degrees in Physics
Overall Popularity in Physics

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for physics.

Learn about the most popular colleges and universities for physics students seeking a a master's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Physics Students Working on Their Master's

1
80 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

Any student who is interested in a master's degree in physics needs to check out New York University. Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in physics in New York.

There were approximately 80 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from New York University

2
53 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of Arizona if you want to pursue a master's degree in physics. Located in the large city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Arizona.

There were roughly 53 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from University of Arizona

3
41 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OR
#1 Best Quality In OR

University of Oregon is a popular decision for individuals pursuing a master's degree in physics. UO is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Eugene. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Oregon.

There were about 41 physics students who graduated with this degree at UO in the most recent data year.

Master's students who receive their degree from the physics program make around $73,100 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in physics from University of Oregon

3
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
41 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Yale University is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in physics. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

There were roughly 41 physics students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from Yale University

5
35 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#5 Best Quality In MA

Located in the large suburb of Amherst, UMass Amherst is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Massachusetts.

There were roughly 35 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from University of Massachusetts Amherst

6
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
32 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In RI
#1 Best Quality In RI

Located in the city of Providence, Brown is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Rhode Island.

There were approximately 32 physics students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from Brown University

7
30 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#3 Best Quality In NY

Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in physics in New York.

There were approximately 30 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from Cornell University

7
SUNY Stony Brook crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
30 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#6 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large suburb of Stony Brook, SUNY Stony Brook is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #6 in quality for master's degrees in physics in New York.

There were about 30 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at SUNY Stony Brook in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from Stony Brook University

7
30 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#6 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of Riverside, UCR is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #6 in quality for master's degrees in physics in California.

There were approximately 30 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at UCR in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from University of California - Riverside

10
29 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NJ
#1 Best Quality In NJ

Princeton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Princeton. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physics in New Jersey.

There were about 29 physics students who graduated with this degree at Princeton in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from Princeton University

10
29 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#3 Best Quality In CA

UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in physics in California.

There were approximately 29 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from University of California - Berkeley

12
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
28 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

There were about 28 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from Duke University

12
28 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

Located in the medium-sized city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in physics in New York.

There were roughly 28 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from University of Rochester

12
28 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#1 Best Quality In CO

CU - Boulder is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Boulder. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Colorado.

There were approximately 28 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at CU - Boulder in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from University of Colorado Boulder

12
28 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

Ohio State is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Columbus. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Ohio.

There were approximately 28 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from Ohio State University - Main Campus

16
27 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the distant town of Commerce, Texas A&M Commerce is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were roughly 27 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M Commerce in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from Texas A&M University - Commerce

17
24 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Maryland.

There were roughly 24 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from Johns Hopkins University

17
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
24 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MA
#2 Best Quality In MA

Harvard is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Cambridge. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Massachusetts.

There were about 24 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from Harvard University

19
23 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TX
#8 Best Quality In TX

Located in the medium-sized city of Richardson, UT Dallas is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #8 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Texas.

There were about 23 physics students who graduated with this degree at UT Dallas in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from The University of Texas at Dallas

19
23 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#1 Best Quality In CA

Stanford is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Stanford. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in physics in California.

There were about 23 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from Stanford University

21
22 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#2 Best Quality In FL

Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Florida.

There were approximately 22 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from Florida State University

22
21 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
#4 Best Quality In CA

Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in physics in California.

There were roughly 21 physics students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from University of California - Santa Barbara

23
20 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WA
#1 Best Quality In WA

Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Washington.

There were approximately 20 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

23
20 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NC
#4 Best Quality In NC

Located in the distant town of Boone, Appalachian State is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in physics in North Carolina.

There were roughly 20 physics students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in physics from Appalachian State University

23
20 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
#4 Best Quality In OH

OHIO Athens is a very large public university located in the distant town of Athens. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in physics in Ohio.

There were about 20 physics individuals who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in physics from Ohio University - Athens Campus

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31
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U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
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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 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physics award.

RankCollegeLocation
38Washington University in St LouisSaint Louis, MO
38University of North TexasDenton, TX
40University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA
40University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL
40University of Missouri - ColumbiaColumbia, MO
40University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN
40Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI
45Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT
45Purdue University - Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN
45The University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN
45University of Maryland - College ParkCollege Park, MD
45The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TX
45Rice UniversityHouston, TX
45Georgia Institute of Technology - Main CampusAtlanta, GA
45University of Wisconsin - MadisonMadison, WI
45Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO

Physics by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physics for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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One of 8 majors within the Physical Sciences area of study, Physics has other similar majors worth exploring.

Physics Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
General Physics1,782
Other Physics148
Optics/Optical Sciences83
Acoustics69
Atomic/Molecular Physics5
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics4
Nuclear Physics2

Majors Similar to Physics

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Chemistry2,244
Geological & Earth Sciences1,720
Materials Sciences307
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology227
Astronomy & Astrophysics195
Other Physical Science107
General Physical Sciences41
Physics and Astronomy37

Notes and References

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