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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Science Schools in the Far Western Region

3 Colleges in the United States
875 Physical Science Degrees Awarded
$46,846 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 73 schools to find the best for physical science students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physical Science in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical science education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Physical Science

1

University Of California Santa Cruz is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physical science. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete this degree. Get the full physical science details for University Of California Santa Cruz

2

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical science, ranking #2. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom awarded about 41 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $39,975 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical science program at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom

3
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA

Clark College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical science, ranking #3. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 32 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Clark College in the most recent data 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. Get the full physical science details for Clark College

4

Seattle Community College North Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. About 23 physical science degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College North Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Seattle Community College North Campus earn around $48,739 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle Community College North Campus graduates carry a median of $16,643 in student loans. See the full physical science program report for Seattle Community College North Campus

5
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Bellevue College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. Bellevue College awarded about 22 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Bellevue College earn around $67,771 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,839. See the full physical science program report for Bellevue College

6

Shoreline Community College earned the #6 position for physical science this year. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. There were roughly 22 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Shoreline Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Shoreline Community College generally make around $62,009. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete this degree. Get the full physical science details for Shoreline Community College

7

Green River Community College landed the #7 spot for physical science this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. About 44 physical science degrees were awarded at Green River Community College in the most recent year. Get the full physical science details for Green River Community College

8

Highline Community College came in at #8 for physical science this year. Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Des Moines. 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. Students borrow a median of $8,958 to complete this degree. See the full physical science program report for Highline Community College

9

Columbia Basin College came in at #9 for physical science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Pasco. There were roughly 11 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Basin College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. Columbia Basin College graduates carry a median of $17,170 in student loans. Get the full physical science details for Columbia Basin College

10

Cascadia Community College landed the #10 spot for physical science this year. Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Cascadia Community College awarded about 23 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Cascadia Community College earn around $27,352 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,000. Read more about the physical science program at Cascadia Community College

11
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College placed #11 among the best physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. American River College awarded about 116 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from American River College earn around $76,077 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree. See the full physical science program report for American River College

12

Seattle Community College Central Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best physical science schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. About 76 physical science degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical science program make about $53,048 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical science from Seattle Community College Central Campus

13

El Camino Community College District ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical science schools. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. El Camino Community College District awarded about 86 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in physical science from El Camino Community College District

14

Seattle Community College South Campus placed #14 among the best physical science schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 16 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College South Campus in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in physical science from Seattle Community College South Campus

15
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College came in at #15 for physical science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. There were roughly 46 physical science students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree. See the full physical science program report for Long Beach City College

16
Western Nevada College crest
Western Nevada College
Carson City, NV

Western Nevada College earned the #16 position for physical science this year. Located in the city of Carson City, Western Nevada College is a moderately-sized public university. Western Nevada College awarded about 136 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Science graduates of Western Nevada College earn a median of $27,007 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,948. Read more about the physical science program at Western Nevada College

17
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College earned the #17 position for physical science this year. Located in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Skagit Valley College awarded about 21 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Skagit Valley College earn around $44,860 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete this degree. See the full physical science program report for Skagit Valley College

18

South Puget Sound Community College placed #18 among the best physical science schools. South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Olympia. South Puget Sound Community College awarded about 25 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from South Puget Sound Community College generally make around $39,430. Typical student debt for the program is $14,245. Get the full physical science details for South Puget Sound Community College

19

Edmonds Community College landed the #19 spot for physical science this year. Edmonds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lynnwood. Edmonds Community College awarded about 21 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical science degree from Edmonds Community College earn around $35,618 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,025. More information about a degree in physical science from Edmonds Community College

20
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College earned the #20 position for physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Chaffey College awarded about 16 physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Science graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Chaffey College graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Get the full physical science details for Chaffey College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 73 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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