2027 Best Physics Schools in North Carolina
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 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physics schools.
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Best Schools for Physics in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physics education in North Carolina.
Top Schools in Physics
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for physics. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Duke University awarded about 72 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
See the full physics program report for Duke University
Davidson College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Davidson College awarded about 15 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Davidson College earn around $41,505 in the first couple years of their career. Davidson College graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans.
Get the full physics details for Davidson College
Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 51 physics degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $62,647 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physics from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 physics students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans.
Get the full physics details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 44 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $70,150 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,750.
More information about a degree in physics from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Appalachian State University placed #6 among the best physics schools. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 39 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $79,066. Students borrow a median of $22,096 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physics program at Appalachian State University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 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.
