Physical Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 209 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physical science schools.
DEBUG: Checking offer "Natural & Applied Sciences Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Natural & Applied Sciences Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.8
Choosing a Great Physical Science School
Where you study physical science matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Physical Science Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Physical Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
DEBUG: Checking offer "Natural & Applied Sciences Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Natural & Applied Sciences Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.8
ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Physical Science in the United States
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 science degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Cuny Graduate School And University Center this year for physical science. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. About 44 physical science degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Physical Science graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921.
See the full physical science program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Students looking for a strong physical science program will find one at University Of California Santa Cruz, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 65 physical science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Physical Science graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,559.
Get the full physical science details for University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best physical science schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 10 physical science degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical science program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Middlesex County College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Middlesex County College awarded about 169 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $27,136 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical science details for Middlesex County College
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. About 41 physical science degrees were awarded at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans.
See the full physical science program report for Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Emory University earned the #6 position for physical science this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $67,840 in their early career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans.
Read more about the physical science program at Emory University
Clark College earned the #7 position for physical science this year. Located in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public university. About 32 physical science degrees were awarded at Clark College in the most recent year. Physical Science graduates of Clark College earn a median of $43,768 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,432.
See the full physical science program report for Clark College
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best physical science schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. About 111 physical science degrees were awarded at Cuny Medgar Evers College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Cuny Medgar Evers College earn around $27,203 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical science program at Cuny Medgar Evers College
Seattle Community College North Campus came in at #9 for physical science this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public university. About 23 physical science degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College North Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Seattle Community College North Campus generally make around $48,739. Typical student debt for the program is $16,643.
More information about a degree in physical science from Seattle Community College North Campus
Arizona State University placed #10 among the best physical science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 49 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,421 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical science program at Arizona State University
Utah Valley University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best physical science schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. About 40% of students finish within six years. About 30 physical science degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical science from Utah Valley University
Villanova University landed the #12 spot for physical science this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Villanova University awarded about 45 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,601. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical science program at Villanova University
Bellevue College placed #13 among the best physical science schools. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. About 22 physical science degrees were awarded at Bellevue College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Bellevue College earn around $67,771 in the first couple years of their career. Bellevue College graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans.
See the full physical science program report for Bellevue College
Chadron State College landed the #14 spot for physical science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Chadron. Chadron State College graduates 50% of students within six years. About 18 physical science degrees were awarded at Chadron State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Chadron State College earn around $47,254 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,912.
Get the full physical science details for Chadron State College
Shoreline Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 22 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Shoreline Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Shoreline Community College earn around $62,009 in the first couple years of their career. Shoreline Community College graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans.
Get the full physical science details for Shoreline Community College
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #16 among the best physical science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chandler. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 37 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Science graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete this degree.
See the full physical science program report for Chandler Gilbert Community College
Green River Community College placed #17 among the best physical science schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Green River Community College awarded about 44 physical science degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the physical science program at Green River Community College
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #18 spot for physical science this year. This large public university is located in the city of Long Island City. There were roughly 54 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Laguardia Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $19,815. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical science program at Cuny Laguardia Community College
Highline Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 33 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Highline Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $55,459 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,958.
Read more about the physical science program at Highline Community College
Columbia Basin College landed the #20 spot for physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public university. About 11 physical science degrees were awarded at Columbia Basin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Columbia Basin College earn around $63,976 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,170.
More information about a degree in physical science from Columbia Basin College
Cascadia Community College placed #21 among the best physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 23 physical science degrees were awarded at Cascadia Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $27,352 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,000.
Get the full physical science details for Cascadia Community College
American River College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. American River College awarded about 116 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105.
Get the full physical science details for American River College
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #23 spot for physical science this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. There were roughly 38 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Typical student debt for the program is $15,996.
Get the full physical science details for Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Seattle Community College Central Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best physical science schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 76 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Typical student debt for the program is $14,699.
Read more about the physical science program at Seattle Community College Central Campus
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #25 among the best physical science schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. About 46% of students finish within six years. Cuny College Of Staten Island awarded about 77 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $51,911 in their early career. Cuny College Of Staten Island graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans.
Read more about the physical science program at Cuny College Of Staten Island
Rest of the Top 50 Physical Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical science ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 209 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).
