2027 Best Physics Schools in Pennsylvania
Physics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 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 Pennsylvania
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Physics
Our analysis ranked University Of Pennsylvania the best school in the country for a degree in physics. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 75 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $74,352 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
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A rank of #2 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the top schools for physics. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 53 physics students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $89,327 in their early career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 74 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $56,926 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree.
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Haverford College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 14 physics students who graduated with this degree at Haverford College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in physics from Haverford College
Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at Temple University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 physics students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Temple University earn around $54,642 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,259.
More information about a degree in physics from Temple University
Drexel University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 26 physics degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $67,556 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,847.
More information about a degree in physics from Drexel University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 89 physics students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $73,567 early in their careers. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,830 in student loans.
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Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for physics this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kutztown. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 15 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,867.
Read more about the physics program at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. About 12 physics degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $103,672 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,062.
See the full physics program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 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.