2027 Best Physics Schools in Virginia
Physics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools to find the best for physics students.
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Best Schools for Physics in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physics education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Physics
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best physics schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree.
See the full physics program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 physics students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Get the full physics details for George Mason University
A rank of #3 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for physics. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 physics students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
Read more about the physics program at College Of William And Mary
A rank of #4 makes James Madison University one of the top schools for physics. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 physics degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $52,997 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218.
More information about a degree in physics from James Madison University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 56 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $58,061 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full physics details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Liberty University earned the #6 position for physics this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 physics students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from Liberty University
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 physics students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $39,804. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250.
See the full physics program report for Virginia Commonwealth 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 · 7 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.
