2026 Best Physics Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis tops our 2026 ranking of the best physics schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 36 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. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Washington University In St Louis

2

Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #2. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grinnell. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 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. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Grinnell College

3

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

A rank of #3 makes Bethel University Minnesota one of the top schools for physics. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 21 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $61,465 early in their careers. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from Bethel University Minnesota

4

Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. Carleton College awarded about 19 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $45,096 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Carleton College

5

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #5. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 32 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,005. Get the full physics details for University Of Missouri Columbia

6

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #6 position for physics this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 24 physics students who graduated with this degree at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn around $74,532 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,187. See the full physics program report for Missouri University Of Science And Technology

7

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 physics students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $40,848 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,762. Read more about the physics program at St Olaf College

8

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #8 among the best physics schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large 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. Physics graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $46,572 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,624. See the full physics program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth

9

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #9 for physics this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 77 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $54,350. Students borrow a median of $23,594 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

10

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #10 among the best physics schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 31 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Iowa earn around $57,375 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of Iowa

11

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #11 for physics this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 25 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Kansas earn around $56,289 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of Kansas

12

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #12 position for physics this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $47,670 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,209. Get the full physics details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

13

Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College earned the #13 position for physics this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. Coe College graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 physics students who graduated with this degree at Coe College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $44,511 in their early career. Coe College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from Coe College

14

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield placed #14 among the best physics schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 13 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $46,503 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Missouri State University Springfield