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2022 Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences

233 Colleges in the United States
5,989 Doctor's Degrees
$67,473 Avg Early-Career Salary
A doctor's degree in physical sciences is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #7 out of 33 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual reviewed 233 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for doctor's degree seekers in the field of physical sciences. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 5,989 doctor's degrees in physical sciences during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Physical Sciences School for Your Doctor's Degree

Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences Your choice of school for getting your doctor's degree in physical sciences matters. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences ranking.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of physical sciences students usually has them for a reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Physical Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Physical Sciences
Master's Degrees in Physical Sciences
Overall Popularity in Physical Sciences

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. Plus, you can view our other rankings for physical sciences.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a doctor's degree in physical sciences. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Physical Sciences Students Working on Their Doctorate

1
139 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#3 Best Quality In CA

University of California - Berkeley is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a doctor's degree in physical sciences. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in California.

There were about 139 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Berkeley

2
118 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#1 Best Quality In MI

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a popular option for individuals interested in a doctor's degree in physical sciences. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Michigan.

There were approximately 118 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
111 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#1 Best Quality In CA

Every student who is interested in a doctor's degree in physical sciences has to take a look at Stanford University. Located in the large suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in California.

There were approximately 111 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Stanford University

4
100 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#8 Best Quality In CA

University of California - San Diego is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a doctor's degree in physical sciences. Located in the city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in California.

There were roughly 100 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - San Diego

5
96 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#1 Best Quality In MA

MIT is a large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Massachusetts.

There were roughly 96 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at MIT in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

5
96 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#3 Best Quality In IL

UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Illinois.

There were roughly 96 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

7
88 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#2 Best Quality In IN

Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Indiana.

There were about 88 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Purdue University - Main Campus

8
87 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#1 Best Quality In CO

Located in the city of Boulder, CU - Boulder is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Colorado.

There were about 87 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at CU - Boulder in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of Colorado Boulder

9
85 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WA
#1 Best Quality In WA

UW Seattle is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Seattle. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Washington.

There were about 85 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

10
84 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WI
#1 Best Quality In WI

UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the large city of Madison. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Wisconsin.

There were approximately 84 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of Wisconsin - Madison

11
83 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#1 Best Quality In TX

UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Austin. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Texas.

There were approximately 83 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from The University of Texas at Austin

12
80 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TX
#2 Best Quality In TX

Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the midsize city of College Station. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Texas.

There were about 80 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Texas A&M University - College Station

13
75 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
#7 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in California.

There were approximately 75 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Irvine

14
74 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Ohio.

There were roughly 74 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Ohio State University - Main Campus

15
72 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

University of Arizona is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Tucson. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Arizona.

There were about 72 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of Arizona

16
71 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in New York.

There were about 71 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Columbia University in the City of New York

16
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
71 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MA
#2 Best Quality In MA

Located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Massachusetts.

There were approximately 71 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Harvard University

16
71 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#2 Best Quality In MD

Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Maryland.

There were about 71 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of Maryland - College Park

19
69 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In CA
#4 Best Quality In CA

UCLA is a very large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in California.

There were approximately 69 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Los Angeles

19
69 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
#2 Best Quality In NC

Located in the city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in North Carolina.

There were approximately 69 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

21
68 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#2 Best Quality In FL

Florida State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tallahassee. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Florida.

There were about 68 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Florida State University

22
66 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#2 Best Quality In IL

UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Illinois.

There were about 66 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of Chicago

23
65 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MI
#2 Best Quality In MI

Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the city of East Lansing. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in Michigan.

There were roughly 65 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Michigan State University

24
62 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

Located in the small city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in New York.

There were approximately 62 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from Cornell University

25
61 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In CA
#5 Best Quality In CA

UCSB is a very large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for doctor's degrees in physical sciences in California.

There were about 61 physical sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in physical sciences from University of California - Santa Barbara

25
25
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
27
28
28
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
28
31

31

33
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
33

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Physical Sciences students that almost earned our Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences award.

RankCollegeLocation
35Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO
36University of California - DavisDavis, CA
36University of OregonEugene, OR
36University of HoustonHouston, TX
39University of California - RiversideRiverside, CA
40Boston UniversityBoston, MA
41University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY
42Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA
42Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY
42University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA
42Rice UniversityHouston, TX
46Indiana University - BloomingtonBloomington, IN

Physical Sciences by Region

View the Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Physical Sciences Majors to Study

MajorAnnual Graduates
Chemistry2,844
Physics1,801
Geological & Earth Sciences808
Astronomy & Astrophysics170
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology158
Materials Sciences142
General Physical Sciences33
Other Physical Science28
Physics and Astronomy5

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Engineering11,199
Biological & Biomedical Sciences7,995
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations4,299
Computer & Information Sciences2,421
Mathematics & Statistics2,032
Natural Resources & Conservation602
Architecture & Related Services252
Engineering Technologies143
Communications Technologies & Support1

Notes and References

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