2026 Best General Physics Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best general physics schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 34 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. See the full general physics program report for University Of Southern California

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #2. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 57 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from Stanford University

3

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 31 general physics degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. See the full general physics program report for San Jose State University

4

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the top schools for general physics. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 213 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $53,597 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,982. Read more about the general physics program at University Of California Santa Barbara

5

Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Harvey Mudd College awarded about 10 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $130,443 in their early career. Harvey Mudd College graduates carry a median of $22,730 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physics from Harvey Mudd College

6

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #6 for general physics this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 146 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $78,272. Typical student debt for the program is $15,508. Read more about the general physics program at University Of California Berkeley

7

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University landed the #7 spot for general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,645. Read more about the general physics program at Pepperdine University

8

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College came in at #8 for general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. Pomona College graduates 93% of students within six years. Pomona College awarded about 17 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. See the full general physics program report for Pomona College

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #9 among the best general physics schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 147 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $88,623 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at University Of California Los Angeles

10

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology placed #10 among the best general physics schools. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 general physics students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full general physics details for California Institute Of Technology

11

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #11 position for general physics this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 65 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $16,464 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at University Of California Davis

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #12 position for general physics this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $43,144 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for University Of California Irvine

13

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 72 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,987 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,800 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of California San Diego

14

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #14 for general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. About 14 general physics degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $54,471 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Get the full general physics details for California State University Fullerton

15

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco landed the #15 spot for general physics this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $65,223 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935. Read more about the general physics program at University Of San Francisco

16

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #16 for general physics this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 31 general physics students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from San Francisco State University

17

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #17 among the best general physics schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 general physics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $49,907 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,492. Get the full general physics details for California State University Sacramento

18

University Of Redlands
Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. About 10 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Redlands in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $57,218 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete this degree. Read more about the general physics program at University Of Redlands

19

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 general physics students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $61,010 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

20

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 32 general physics students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for College Of The Canyons

21

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #21 position for general physics this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 27 general physics degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at San Diego State University

22

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #22 position for general physics this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 126 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $41,474. Typical student debt for the program is $17,113. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

23

Reed College
Portland, OR

Reed College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. Located in the city of Portland, Reed College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Reed College awarded about 15 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Reed College generally make around $30,588. Students borrow a median of $21,137 to complete this degree. See the full general physics program report for Reed College

24

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced landed the #24 spot for general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Merced in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from University Of California Merced earn around $42,071 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,318 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of California Merced

25

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #25 position for general physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. About 54 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $37,859 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at University Of California Santa Cruz