2027 Best Physical Sciences Schools in California
Physical Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physical sciences programs.
College Factual analyzed 99 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physical sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Physical Sciences in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical sciences education in California.
Top Schools in Physical Sciences
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for physical sciences. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 239 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for physical sciences. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. 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. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $81,477 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,352 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of California Berkeley
San Jose State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 78 physical sciences degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
See the full physical sciences program report for San Jose State University
Pepperdine University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pepperdine University awarded about 18 physical sciences degrees 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
Harvey Mudd College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 27 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Harvey Mudd College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Harvey Mudd College generally make around $130,443. Harvey Mudd College graduates carry a median of $22,730 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Harvey Mudd College
University Of California Irvine ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 375 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $55,973 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $14,194 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of California Irvine
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. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Pomona College awarded about 34 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data 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
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. 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. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,991 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 370 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $48,649 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $17,108 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of San Francisco ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of San Francisco awarded about 29 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $65,223 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full physical sciences program report for University Of San Francisco
Sonoma State University landed the #11 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 27 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent 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
California State University Northridge ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students 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. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $44,874 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,202.
See the full physical sciences program report for California State University Northridge
Westmont College placed #13 among the best physical sciences schools. Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Westmont College graduates 70% of students within six years. Westmont College awarded about 12 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Westmont College generally make around $44,240. Westmont College graduates carry a median of $23,773 in student loans.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Westmont College
University Of Redlands placed #14 among the best physical sciences schools. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Redlands awarded about 21 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $57,218 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Redlands
University Of California Davis earned the #15 position for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students 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. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $54,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,302.
Get the full physical sciences details for University Of California Davis
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #16 for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 110 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $48,489 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,718.
See the full physical sciences program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
California State University East Bay ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. California State University East Bay awarded about 30 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from California State University East Bay earn around $58,951 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical sciences details for California State University East Bay
University Of California San Diego came in at #18 for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 479 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 $70,693. Typical student debt for the program is $16,387.
Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of California San Diego
San Diego State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 106 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $43,307 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,730.
See the full physical sciences program report for San Diego State University
California Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best physical sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students 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.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from California Institute Of Technology
San Francisco State University came in at #21 for physical sciences this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $44,140 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,020.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from San Francisco State University
California State University Fullerton ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 74 physical sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $42,271 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $17,583 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from California State University Fullerton
University Of Southern California landed the #23 spot for physical sciences this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 122 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $75,677 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Southern California
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 264 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $39,673 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $16,810 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of California Merced ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 93 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $50,944. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for University Of California Merced
Rest of the Top 50 Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences ranking:
More Physical Sciences Rankings
View All Physical Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 99 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.