2027 Best Physical Sciences Schools in Tennessee
Physical Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools to find the best for physical sciences students.
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Best Schools for Physical Sciences in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical sciences education in Tennessee.
Top Schools in Physical Sciences
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 school for physical sciences. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 60 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Vanderbilt University
Rhodes College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #2. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,078 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Rhodes College
The University Of Tennessee is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 147 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $39,160 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,748 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for The University Of Tennessee
University Of Memphis came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 80 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Memphis earn around $36,881 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Memphis
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga awarded about 39 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $41,588 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $24,999 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
East Tennessee State University earned the #6 position for physical sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of Johnson City. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. East Tennessee State University awarded about 57 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $45,444. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans.
Read more about the physical sciences program at East Tennessee State University
Tennessee Technological University placed #7 among the best physical sciences schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Tennessee Technological University graduates 58% of students within six years. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 64 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $46,981 in their early career. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $20,104 in student loans.
Get the full physical sciences details for Tennessee Technological University
Austin Peay State University landed the #8 spot for physical sciences this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Austin Peay State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Austin Peay State University awarded about 23 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $42,475 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Get the full physical sciences details for Austin Peay State University
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 54 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $34,329 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,256 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for Middle Tennessee State University
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #10 among the best physical sciences schools. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. The University Of Tennessee Martin awarded about 20 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $40,400 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for The University Of Tennessee Martin
More Physical Sciences Rankings
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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 · 10 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.
