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2027 Best Physics Schools in New York

13 Colleges in the United States
876 Physics Degrees Awarded
$55,985 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physics students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Physics in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physics education in New York.

Top Schools in Physics

1
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Leading the list is Colgate University, our #1 school for physics. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Colgate University awarded about 13 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Colgate University earn around $52,924 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,286. See the full physics program report for Colgate University

2

Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at Cornell University, which ranked #2. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 96 physics students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Cornell University earn around $50,933 in the first couple years of their career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,961 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Cornell University

3

A rank of #3 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the top schools for physics. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 67 physics degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $86,770 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from Columbia University In The City Of New York

4

University Of Rochester is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 147 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Rochester earn around $60,865 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of Rochester

5
Le Moyne College crest
Le Moyne College
Syracuse, NY

Le Moyne College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #5. Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at Le Moyne College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Le Moyne College generally make around $57,229. Le Moyne College graduates carry a median of $25,739 in student loans. See the full physics program report for Le Moyne College

6
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #6 spot for physics this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stony Brook University awarded about 145 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $44,562 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,683. Get the full physics details for Stony Brook University

7

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 physics degrees were awarded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn around $60,348 in the first couple years of their career. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates carry a median of $20,270 in student loans. Get the full physics details for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

8

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #8 for physics this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. About 31 physics degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $72,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

9

University At Buffalo came in at #9 for physics this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 physics students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. See the full physics program report for University At Buffalo

10
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #10 among the best physics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 36 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Syracuse University

11

Suny At Binghamton landed the #11 spot for physics this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Suny At Binghamton graduates 82% of students within six years. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 17 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Suny At Binghamton

12
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #12 position for physics this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 153 physics degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of New York University earn a median of $34,624 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Get the full physics details for New York University

13

Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #13 for physics this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates 72% of students within six years. About 71 physics degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Rochester Institute Of Technology earn around $48,374 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in physics from Rochester Institute Of Technology

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 13 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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