2027 Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region
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.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physics students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Physics in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physics education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Physics
Rice University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physics. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 64 physics students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #2. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 72 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $53,329. Students borrow a median of $17,522 to complete this degree.
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University Of Arizona is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #3. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 148 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Arizona earn around $107,496 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $20,650 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 122 physics students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $36,832. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete this degree.
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Texas Tech University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 physics degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $57,435. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #6 spot for physics this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 54 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from The University Of Texas At Dallas earn around $58,507 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans.
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University Of Houston earned the #7 position for physics this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 46 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Houston earn around $57,529 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,925 to complete this degree.
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New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #8 spot for physics this year. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public school located in the town of Socorro. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 19 physics degrees were awarded at New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $64,561. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete this degree.
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Texas State University San Marcos ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 27 physics students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $41,737 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500.
More information about a degree in physics from Texas State University San Marcos
Arizona State University landed the #10 spot for physics this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 59 physics degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $30,503 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,700.
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University Of North Texas placed #11 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. University Of North Texas awarded about 32 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $49,157 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,200.
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University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #12 spot for physics this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn around $49,983 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,738.
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Austin Community College District came in at #13 for physics this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. About 11 physics degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $44,895 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,519.
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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earned the #14 position for physics this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Prescott. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 physics degrees were awarded at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn a median of $66,620 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,288.
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The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 physics students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $34,611 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,314 to complete this degree.
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Arizona State University Skysong came in at #16 for physics this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 35 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $30,503 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physics from Arizona State University Skysong
Tulsa Community College came in at #17 for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tulsa. There were roughly 28 physics students who graduated with this degree at Tulsa Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Tulsa Community College earn around $41,718 in the first couple years of their career. Tulsa Community College graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 physics degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. The University Of Texas At El Paso graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from The University Of Texas At El Paso
Arizona Western College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. There were roughly 22 physics students who graduated with this degree at Arizona Western College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Arizona Western College earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career.
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The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 physics students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $36,328 in their early career. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $27,508 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. About 27 physics degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $65,563 in their early career. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from Texas A And M University Commerce
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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 · 21 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.
