2027 Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 108 schools to find the best for physical sciences students.
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Best Schools for Physical Sciences in the Southeast Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Physical Sciences
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 school for physical sciences. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 60 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
See the full physical sciences program report for Vanderbilt University
Rhodes College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rhodes College awarded about 46 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $40,807 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,078.
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A rank of #3 makes Davidson College one of the top schools for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Davidson College awarded about 28 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Davidson College graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans.
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University Of Miami is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Miami awarded about 66 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750.
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Washington And Lee University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lexington. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington And Lee University awarded about 23 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Washington And Lee University graduates carry a median of $20,074 in student loans.
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Duke University landed the #6 spot for physical sciences this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. There were roughly 130 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Duke University earn a median of $29,748 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,457 to complete this degree.
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Furman University landed the #7 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Furman University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Furman University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $36,520. Furman University graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for Furman University
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #8 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 259 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $30,599 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,425 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
College Of William And Mary earned the #9 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 140 physical sciences degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $35,130 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,705 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #10 spot for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 244 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $53,712 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $16,279 in student loans.
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Centre College placed #11 among the best physical sciences schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Danville. Centre College graduates 81% of students within six years. About 23 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Centre College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Centre College generally make around $32,327. Centre College graduates carry a median of $26,560 in student loans.
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Wofford College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spartanburg. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Wofford College awarded about 15 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Wofford College earn around $41,052 in the first couple years of their career. Wofford College graduates carry a median of $24,643 in student loans.
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George Mason University came in at #13 for physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 108 physical sciences degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $50,304. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
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Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 176 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,831 to complete this degree.
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Auburn University came in at #15 for physical sciences this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 87 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $45,588 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,511.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #16 for physical sciences this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 208 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $62,343 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,669 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Central Florida came in at #17 for physical sciences this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 131 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $48,676 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $19,063 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Central Florida
Berry College came in at #18 for physical sciences this year. Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Berry. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Berry College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Berry College earn around $50,785 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete this degree.
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Citadel Military College Of South Carolina came in at #19 for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Citadel Military College Of South Carolina in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $52,909 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,305.
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Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #20 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 167 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $42,218 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,322.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Bellarmine University earned the #21 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Bellarmine University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Bellarmine University earn around $46,024 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,766.
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Emory University earned the #22 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. About 187 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $32,130. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for Emory University
James Madison University came in at #23 for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 77 physical sciences degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $46,365. Typical student debt for the program is $24,422.
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The University Of Tampa ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 19 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tampa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $45,401. The University Of Tampa graduates carry a median of $25,191 in student loans.
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University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #25 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 99 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Huntsville in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $62,903 early in their careers. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong physical sciences education:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 108 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.