General Physics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 946 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general physics students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great General Physics School
The general physics program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best General Physics Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best General Physics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for General Physics 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 general physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in general physics. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 27 general physics degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $83,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
See the full general physics program report for Duke University
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong general physics program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 general physics degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #4 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for general physics. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 47 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general physics from Northwestern University
Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #5. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 24 general physics degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Georgetown University earn around $79,632 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree.
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University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for general physics this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 80 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $74,352. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
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Brown University landed the #7 spot for general physics this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 86 general physics degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Typical student debt for the program is $13,025.
See the full general physics program report for Brown University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for general physics this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 85 general physics degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full general physics program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Harvard University came in at #9 for general physics this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 102 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $95,207 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
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San Jose State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 31 general physics degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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Washington University In St Louis came in at #11 for general physics this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 36 general physics degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree.
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Rice University landed the #12 spot for general physics this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Rice University awarded about 42 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $75,299 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
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Johns Hopkins University landed the #13 spot for general physics this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 74 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
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University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 213 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $53,597. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,982 in student loans.
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Princeton University came in at #15 for general physics this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. About 64 general physics degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $67,532 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
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Middlebury College earned the #16 position for general physics this year. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Middlebury College awarded about 19 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $54,713 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general physics from Middlebury College
University Of Chicago ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 107 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
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University Of Rochester earned the #18 position for general physics this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rochester. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 51 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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Colgate University placed #19 among the best general physics schools. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. About 91% of students finish within six years. Colgate University awarded about 14 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,286.
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Tufts University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans.
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Yale University placed #21 among the best general physics schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 93 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
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Bowdoin College landed the #22 spot for general physics this year. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Bowdoin College graduates 95% of students within six years. Bowdoin College awarded about 15 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Bowdoin College earn around $58,938 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,658.
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Wesleyan University placed #23 among the best general physics schools. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans.
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Harvey Mudd College landed the #24 spot for general physics this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Harvey Mudd College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Harvey Mudd College earn around $130,443 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,730.
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University Of Notre Dame landed the #25 spot for general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 44 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,494. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Physics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general physics ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 946 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).
