2027 Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts
Physics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physics programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools to find the best for physics students.
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Best Schools for Physics in Massachusetts
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
No school ranked higher than Harvard University this year for physics. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 114 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. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from Harvard University
Boston College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. Boston College awarded about 27 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $66,132. Typical student debt for the program is $18,101.
Read more about the physics program at Boston College
Tufts University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 physics students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074.
Read more about the physics program at Tufts University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 physics students who graduated with this degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn around $91,834 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,259.
See the full physics program report for Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. About 109 physics degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $54,773 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physics program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Wellesley College came in at #6 for physics this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 physics students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $48,902 in their early career. Wellesley College graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for Wellesley College
Smith College placed #7 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 physics students who graduated with this degree at Smith College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $40,436 in their early career. Smith College graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for Smith College
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lowell. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 26 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent year. Physics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $48,324 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,177 to complete this degree.
See the full physics program report for University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Boston University placed #9 among the best physics schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 38 physics students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $63,598 in their early career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from Boston University
College Of The Holy Cross placed #10 among the best physics schools. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. College Of The Holy Cross graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 physics students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Holy Cross in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from College Of The Holy Cross generally make around $51,478. Students borrow a median of $26,387 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physics program at College Of The Holy Cross
Brandeis University landed the #11 spot for physics this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Brandeis University graduates 86% of students within six years. Brandeis University awarded about 26 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. Brandeis University graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans.
Read more about the physics program at Brandeis University
Northeastern University came in at #12 for physics this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 physics students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $49,399. Typical student debt for the program is $26,797.
Read more about the physics program at Northeastern University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #13 spot for physics this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 68 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $53,666 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full physics details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Bridgewater State University came in at #14 for physics this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 10 physics students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Bridgewater State University earn around $48,937 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,632 to complete this degree.
See the full physics program report for Bridgewater State University
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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 · 14 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.