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2027 Best Physical Sciences Schools in Virginia

14 Colleges in the United States
1,366 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$41,912 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physical sciences schools.

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Best Schools for Physical Sciences in Virginia

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

1

Washington And Lee University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physical sciences. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $20,074. See the full physical sciences program report for Washington And Lee University

2

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 259 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $30,599 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,425 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Virginia Main Campus

3

Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. College Of William And Mary awarded about 140 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $35,130. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $19,705 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from College Of William And Mary

4

A rank of #4 makes George Mason University one of the top schools for physical sciences. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 108 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from George Mason University earn around $50,304 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. More information about a degree in physical sciences from George Mason University

5
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 77 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from James Madison University earn around $46,365 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,422. More information about a degree in physical sciences from James Madison University

6

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 259 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $48,936 early in their careers. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $26,405 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

7

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #7 spot for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 96 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $38,721 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,256 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Virginia Commonwealth University

8
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University came in at #8 for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Liberty University earn around $45,877 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Liberty University

9

Christopher Newport University came in at #9 for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Christopher Newport University awarded about 26 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $39,245 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Christopher Newport University

10
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University placed #10 among the best physical sciences schools. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. Radford University awarded about 24 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $39,090. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full physical sciences program report for Radford University

11
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington earned the #11 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $35,464. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $21,763 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Mary Washington

12
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond earned the #12 position for physical sciences this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. University Of Richmond graduates 85% of students within six years. About 16 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $22,881. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Richmond

13

Old Dominion University earned the #13 position for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 67 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Old Dominion University

14

Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary came in at #14 for physical sciences this year. Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of South Prince George. There were roughly 187 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary generally make around $20,219. Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary

View All Physical Sciences Rankings >

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 · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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