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2027 Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region

135 Colleges in the United States
10,047 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$52,357 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 135 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physical sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Physical Sciences in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical sciences education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Physical Sciences

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2027 ranking of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 239 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $100,827 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Stanford University

2

University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 602 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $81,477 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,352 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of California Berkeley

3

San Jose State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 78 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in physical sciences from San Jose State University

4

Pepperdine University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. Pepperdine University awarded about 18 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Typical student debt for the program is $23,645. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Pepperdine University

5
Harvey Mudd College crest
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Harvey Mudd College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Harvey Mudd College generally make around $130,443. Typical student debt for the program is $22,730. See the full physical sciences program report for Harvey Mudd College

6

University Of California Irvine came in at #6 for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 375 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $55,973. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $14,194 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of California Irvine

7
Pomona College crest
Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College earned the #7 position for physical sciences this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Pomona College graduates 93% of students within six years. About 34 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Pomona College

8

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #8 for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 390 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $72,561 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,991. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of California Los Angeles

9

University Of Portland ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. University Of Portland graduates 80% of students within six years. University Of Portland awarded about 19 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Portland generally make around $54,739. University Of Portland graduates carry a median of $22,900 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Portland

10

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #10 among the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 370 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $48,649 in their early career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $17,108 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

11
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco landed the #11 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. University Of San Francisco awarded about 29 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,223. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of San Francisco

12
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,031 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Sonoma State University

13

California State University Northridge came in at #13 for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 58 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $44,874. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from California State University Northridge

14
Westmont College crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA

Westmont College landed the #14 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Westmont College awarded about 12 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $44,240 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,773 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at Westmont College

15

University Of Redlands landed the #15 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. About 21 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Redlands in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $57,218 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,175. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Redlands

16

University Of California Davis earned the #16 position for physical sciences this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 265 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $54,578 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $15,302 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of California Davis

17

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #17 for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 110 physical sciences degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $48,489 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,718 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

18

California State University East Bay placed #18 among the best physical sciences schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. California State University East Bay awarded about 30 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $58,951 in their early career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for California State University East Bay

19

University Of California San Diego came in at #19 for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 479 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $70,693 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,387 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of California San Diego

20
Whitman College crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College earned the #20 position for physical sciences this year. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 40 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Whitman College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Whitman College earn around $32,345 in the first couple years of their career. Whitman College graduates carry a median of $17,518 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Whitman College

21

San Diego State University earned the #21 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 106 physical sciences degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $43,307 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,730 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for San Diego State University

22

California Institute Of Technology landed the #22 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 150 physical sciences degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career. See the full physical sciences program report for California Institute Of Technology

23

San Francisco State University earned the #23 position for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 physical sciences degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $44,140 in their early career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from San Francisco State University

24

Green River Community College placed #24 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. About 42 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Green River Community College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Green River Community College

25

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #25 for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 444 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $41,903 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,011 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

Rest of the Top 50 Physical Sciences Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences ranking:

26
27
28
29
Reed College crest
Reed College
Portland, OR
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
39
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
40
41
42
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA
43
44
45
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
46
47
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
48
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 135 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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