2026 Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physical sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 241 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Stanford University

2

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 109 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Southern California

3

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

A rank of #3 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for physical sciences. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 102 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. See the full physical sciences program report for San Jose State University

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for physical sciences. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 536 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $81,553 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,352 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of California Berkeley

5

Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Harvey Mudd College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $130,443 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,730. Read more about the physical sciences program at Harvey Mudd College

6

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 423 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $49,067 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $17,108 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of California Santa Barbara

7

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University earned the #7 position for physical sciences this year. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 11 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Pepperdine University

8

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #8 among the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 355 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $56,140 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,194 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of California Irvine

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for physical sciences this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 456 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $73,410. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,991 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of California Los Angeles

10

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College earned the #10 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Pomona College awarded about 28 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. See the full physical sciences program report for Pomona College

11

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 98 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $48,489 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $17,718 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

12

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #12 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 231 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $55,329 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,302 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of California Davis

13

University Of Portland
Portland, OR

University Of Portland ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Portland in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Portland earn around $54,739 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,900. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Portland

14

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Northridge awarded about 58 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $44,874 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,202. See the full physical sciences program report for California State University Northridge

15

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 35 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Sonoma State University earn around $51,140 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,031. See the full physical sciences program report for Sonoma State University

16

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay placed #16 among the best physical sciences schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. About 48% of students finish within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 27 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from California State University East Bay

17

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 159 physical sciences degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. Get the full physical sciences details for California Institute Of Technology

18

Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA

Westmont College came in at #18 for physical sciences this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Westmont College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $44,240 in their early career. Westmont College graduates carry a median of $23,773 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for Westmont College

19

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #19 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. University Of San Francisco awarded about 27 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $65,223 in the first couple years of their career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of San Francisco

20

University Of Redlands
Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands came in at #20 for physical sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Redlands. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Redlands awarded about 15 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $57,218 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,175. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Redlands

21

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #21 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 74 physical sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $42,132 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,583 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for California State University Fullerton

22

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #22 for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 490 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $70,345. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $16,387 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of California San Diego

23

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #23 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $44,140 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024. See the full physical sciences program report for San Francisco State University

24

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #24 among the best physical sciences schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 32 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for College Of The Canyons

25

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles placed #25 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 56 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $44,944 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for California State University Los Angeles