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2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Southeast Region

54 Ranked Colleges
1,061 Degrees Awarded
$67,925 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 50,306 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $39,880 and had an average of $22,620 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 9,420 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,772 and $23,221 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,061 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,087 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region” ranking looked at 54 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physical sciences. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their physical sciences program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region doctor’s degree physical sciences students.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Southeast Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 52 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Louisiana State University Physical Sciences Report

2
Hampton crest
Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hampton University. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region. Hampton University is a small school located in Hampton, Virginia that handed out 6 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Hampton

3
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region list. Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Vanderbilt University Physical Sciences Report

4
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 54 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #4 spot on the list. Duke University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 43 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Duke University

5
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida

Out of the 54 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Miami landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Coral Gables, Florida, and it awarded 36 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Miami

6
Norfolk State crest
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, Virginia

With a ranking of #6, Norfolk State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region list. Norfolk State is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Norfolk State

7
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #7. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 29 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Emory University

8

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 57 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Physical Sciences Report

9

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #9. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Physical Sciences Report

10

University of Arkansas at Little Rock landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking. University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, Arkansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Arkansas at Little Rock

11
CAU crest
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, Georgia

Clark Atlanta University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at CAU

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Alabama in Huntsville did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region list. Huntsville, Alabama is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UAH Physical Sciences Report

13
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 41 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Virginia - Main Campus

14

With a ranking of #14, Florida Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region list. Florida Tech is located in Melbourne, Florida and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Florida Tech

15
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 41 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full North Carolina State University Physical Sciences Report

16
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #16 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school awarded 39 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Physical Sciences Report

17
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 11 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Wake Forest University

18
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 50 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Florida State

19
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Physical Sciences at West Virginia University

20

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 28 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

21
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University ranked #21 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region list. Clemson is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 26 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Clemson

22
Tulane crest
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana

Tulane University of Louisiana did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #22. Tulane is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New Orleans, Louisiana. It awarded 17 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Tulane

23
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this large public school handed out 25 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Arkansas Physical Sciences Report

24
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region list. University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Kentucky

25
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Florida

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