2026 Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools

1

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physics. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 physics students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296. See the full physics program report for Duke University

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 physics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Northwestern University

3

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 17 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $100,827 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Stanford University

4

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for physics. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 25 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $74,352. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. Read more about the physics program at University Of Pennsylvania

5

Yale University
New Haven, CT

A rank of #5 makes Yale University one of the top schools for physics. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 physics students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $74,578 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Yale University

6

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 47 physics degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Brown University earn around $62,820 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Brown University

7

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #7 for physics this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 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. More information about a degree in physics from Harvard University

8

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #8 for physics this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 physics students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in physics from San Jose State University

9

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis landed the #9 spot for physics this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 14 physics degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $68,303 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553. More information about a degree in physics from Washington University In St Louis

10

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #10 position for physics this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 physics degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $53,597 in their early career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,982 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of California Santa Barbara

11

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #11 for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $56,926 in their early career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

12

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University earned the #12 position for physics this year. 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. About 14 physics degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904. Get the full physics details for Rice University

13

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #13 spot for physics this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 22 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. Read more about the physics program at University Of Chicago

14

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University placed #14 among the best physics schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Princeton University awarded about 19 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Princeton University

15

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #15 position for physics this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Tufts University awarded about 13 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074. Read more about the physics program at Tufts University

16

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #16 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 90 physics degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Johns Hopkins University

17

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #17 position for physics this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 15 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. Get the full physics details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

18

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 physics degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $89,327 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. More information about a degree in physics from Carnegie Mellon University

19

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 60 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Physics graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for University Of Rochester

20

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #20 position for physics this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 40 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $88,623. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for University Of California Los Angeles

21

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #21 spot for physics this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 22 physics degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $78,272 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $15,508 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of California Berkeley

22

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary landed the #22 spot for physics this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $53,338 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for College Of William And Mary

23

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology earned the #23 position for physics this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 physics students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. More information about a degree in physics from California Institute Of Technology

24

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #24 among the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Typical student debt for the program is $20,115. See the full physics program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

25

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #25 for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 13 physics degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from Auburn University