2027 Best Physics Schools in the The Plains States Region
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.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 19 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 The Plains States 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
Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physics. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 48 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
More information about a degree in physics from Washington University In St Louis
University Of St Thomas Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #2. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. About 12 physics degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at Grinnell College, which ranked #3. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 20 physics students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. Typical student debt for the program is $17,154.
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Carleton College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. About 90% of students finish within six years. Carleton College awarded about 22 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Carleton College earn around $45,096 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete this degree.
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Macalester College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. Macalester College awarded about 12 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $42,517. Students borrow a median of $22,147 to complete this degree.
See the full physics program report for Macalester College
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #6 among the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 26 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $16,005 in student loans.
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University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 67 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $54,350 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,594 to complete this degree.
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Bethel University Minnesota earned the #8 position for physics this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 24 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans.
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St Olaf College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 21 physics degrees were awarded at St Olaf College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $40,848 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,762 to complete this degree.
See the full physics program report for St Olaf College
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #10 spot for physics this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 17 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $46,572 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,624.
See the full physics program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth
University Of Kansas landed the #11 spot for physics this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 26 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608.
See the full physics program report for University Of Kansas
Iowa State University came in at #12 for physics this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 33 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $54,204 early in their careers. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physics from Iowa State University
University Of Iowa ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $57,375 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,463.
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University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #14 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 30 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $47,670. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree.
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Missouri State University Springfield came in at #15 for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 10 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $46,503 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for Missouri State University Springfield
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #16 among the best physics schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 16 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Physics graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete this degree.
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Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 physics degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $44,396 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Wichita State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. Wichita State University awarded about 14 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Typical student debt for the program is $24,262.
More information about a degree in physics from Wichita State University
Coe College came in at #19 for physics this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 physics degrees were awarded at Coe College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Coe College earn around $44,511 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physics from Coe College
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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 · 19 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.
