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2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia

37 Ranked Colleges
1,478 Degrees Awarded
$32,000 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Virginia, there were 1,478 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,871 and $21,765 respectively.

For this year’s “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia” ranking, we looked at 37 colleges that offer a degree in physical sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular physical sciences programs in the United States.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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More Physical Sciences Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia”.

1
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 241 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Virginia

2
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Virginia Tech. The school came in at #2 for the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 205 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Virginia Tech Physical Sciences Report

3
RBC crest
Richard Bland College of William and Mary
South Prince George, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Richard Bland College of William and Mary. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. Richard Bland College of William and Mary is a public institution located in South Prince George, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 157 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Physical Sciences at RBC

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution located in Richmond, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 149 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Commonwealth University Physical Sciences Report

5
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend William & Mary. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 120 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full William & Mary Physical Sciences Report

6
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George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 95 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Full George Mason University Physical Sciences Report

7
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James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #7, James Madison University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. James Madison University is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at James Madison University

8
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Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

With a ranking of #8, Old Dominion University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. Old Dominion University is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Old Dominion Physical Sciences Report

9
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University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington ranked #9 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UMW

10
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Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia ranking. This small school is located in Newport News, Virginia, and it awarded 37 ’s physical sciences degrees 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Christopher Newport University Physical Sciences Report

11
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia ranking. Radford is a medium-sized public school situated in Radford, Virginia. It awarded 34 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Radford University Physical Sciences Report

12

Washington and Lee University ranked #12 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. This small school is located in Lexington, Virginia, and it awarded 27 ’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. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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 Washington and Lee Physical Sciences Report

13
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Richmond landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia ranking. University of Richmond is a small private not-for-profit school situated in University of Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 22 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Physical Sciences at URichmond

14
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Roanoke College
Salem, Virginia

Roanoke College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Salem, Virginia, and it awarded 17 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 more about Physical Sciences at Roanoke College

14
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Randolph - Macon College
Ashland, Virginia

With a ranking of #14, Randolph - Macon College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. This small school is located in Ashland, Virginia, and it awarded 17 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 87%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Randolph - Macon College

14

Emory and Henry College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. Emory and Henry College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Emory, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Emory and Henry College

17
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Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia ranking. Virginia Military Institute is located in Lexington, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Virginia Military Institute

18
Norfolk State crest
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia ranking. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 15 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Norfolk State University

19
Hampden - Sydney crest
Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. Hampden-Sydney, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Hampden - Sydney College

20
Hampton crest
Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia

Hampton University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia ranking. This small school is located in Hampton, Virginia, and it awarded 11 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Hampton

20
Longwood crest
Longwood University
Farmville, Virginia

With a ranking of #20, Longwood University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. This small school is located in Farmville, Virginia, and it awarded 11 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Longwood University

22
Virginia State crest
Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia

Virginia State University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. This small school is located in Petersburg, Virginia, and it awarded 9 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Virginia State Physical Sciences Report

23
Randolph crest
Randolph College
Lynchburg, Virginia

Randolph College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Randolph

23
Lynchburg crest
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia

University of Lynchburg did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia ranking, coming in at #23. Lynchburg is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Full University of Lynchburg Physical Sciences Report

25
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #25, Liberty University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Virginia list. This large school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 7 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Liberty University

Notes and References

References

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