2027 Best Physics Schools in Tennessee
Physics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools to find the best for physics students.
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Best Schools for Physics in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physics education in Tennessee.
Top Schools in Physics
Vanderbilt University tops our 2027 ranking 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. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
Get the full physics details for Vanderbilt University
Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at Rhodes College, which ranked #2. Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit school 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. Students who receive their physics degree from Rhodes College earn around $40,807 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,078 to complete this degree.
See the full physics program report for Rhodes College
Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 46 physics degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Physics graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $25,344 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from The University Of Tennessee
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 16 physics degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $43,575 in their early career. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans.
Read more about the physics program at Middle Tennessee State University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 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.
