by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 10 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Physical Sciences Doctor's Degree Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 793 doctor's degrees in physical sciences during the 2020-2021 academic year.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of physical sciences for getting your doctor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we consider a college's overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking which itself looks at a combination of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of doctorate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their doctor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for physical sciences students working on their doctor's degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Physical Sciences Doctor's Degree Schools in California ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a doctor's degree in physical sciences.
Stanford University is a wonderful choice for students interested in a doctor's degree in physical sciences. Located in the large suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Stanford University
Every student who is interested in a doctor's degree in physical sciences needs to take a look at University of California - Berkeley. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Berkeley
It's difficult to beat University of California - Santa Barbara if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in physical sciences. UCSB is a very large public university located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara.More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Santa Barbara
It's hard to beat University of California - Los Angeles if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in physical sciences. UCLA is a very large public university located in the city of Los Angeles.More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Los Angeles
Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - San Diego
Located in the city of Pasadena, Caltech is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from California Institute of Technology
Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Irvine
UC Davis is a fairly large public university located in the small suburb of Davis.More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Davis
Located in the city of Santa Cruz, UC Santa Cruz is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Santa Cruz
UCR is a very large public university located in the city of Riverside.More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Riverside
Learn about other programs related to Physical Sciences that might interest you.
Explore all the Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 27 | 113 |
| Oregon | 27 | 72 |
| Nevada | 25 | 30 |
| Hawaii | 23 | 16 |
| Alaska | 10 | 10 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 359 |
| Physics | 230 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 125 |
| Materials Sciences | 46 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 28 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 4 |
| Other Physical Science | 1 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 1,252 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 935 |
| Agriculture & Agriculture Operations | 268 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 245 |
| Natural Resources & Conservation | 74 |
| Architecture & Related Services | 36 |
| Engineering Technologies | 26 |
