2027 Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region
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.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physics schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Physics in the Southeast Region
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
Duke University tops our 2027 ranking of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 97% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 72 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. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for Duke University
Vanderbilt University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 physics students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $77,997 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
Read more about the physics program at Vanderbilt University
A rank of #3 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top schools for physics. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 61 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627.
Read more about the physics program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
Davidson College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 physics degrees were awarded at Davidson College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Davidson College earn around $41,505 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete this degree.
See the full physics program report for Davidson College
Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 51 physics degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $62,647 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Rhodes College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. Rhodes College graduates 84% of students within six years. About 15 physics degrees were awarded at Rhodes College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $40,807 in their early career. Rhodes College graduates carry a median of $23,078 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for Rhodes College
University Of Central Florida came in at #7 for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 66 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $55,826 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,138 to complete this degree.
See the full physics program report for University Of Central Florida
George Mason University landed the #8 spot for physics this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 41 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for George Mason University
Furman University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Greenville. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at Furman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Furman University earn around $36,520 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,764 to complete this degree.
Get the full physics details for Furman University
College Of William And Mary placed #10 among the best physics schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 physics students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $53,338 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
Read more about the physics program at College Of William And Mary
Auburn University landed the #11 spot for physics this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 physics students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for Auburn University
James Madison University came in at #12 for physics this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 physics students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $52,997. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218.
Read more about the physics program at James Madison University
Emory University landed the #13 spot for physics this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 38 physics degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Emory University earn around $67,840 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,431.
Get the full physics details for Emory University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. About 92 physics degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $83,560 in their early career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,831 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Berry College earned the #15 position for physics this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Berry, Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 16 physics degrees were awarded at Berry College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Berry College earn around $50,785 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,797.
More information about a degree in physics from Berry College
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 37 physics degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $49,718 in their early career. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans.
Read more about the physics program at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Clemson University placed #17 among the best physics schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Clemson University awarded about 34 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,783.
See the full physics program report for Clemson University
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #18 for physics this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Huntsville. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Huntsville awarded about 27 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $62,903 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete this degree.
See the full physics program report for University Of Alabama At Huntsville
Florida State University landed the #19 spot for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 47 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Florida State University earn around $51,884 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,765 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physics from Florida State University
University Of Florida earned the #20 position for physics this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 77 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from University Of Florida
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #21 among the best physics schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 64 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $43,740 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,490 to complete this degree.
Get the full physics details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #22 for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 physics degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $70,150. Typical student debt for the program is $28,750.
Get the full physics details for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
The University Of Alabama placed #23 among the best physics schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 physics students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $50,740 in their early career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for The University Of Alabama
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #24 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 56 physics degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $58,061. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
West Virginia University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 30 physics degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from West Virginia University earn around $51,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physics program at West Virginia University
Rest of the Top 37 Physics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong physics education:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 37 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.