2026 Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general physics schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 19 general physics degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. More information about a degree in general physics from Northwestern University

2

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #2 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for general physics. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 15 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $74,352. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for University Of Pennsylvania

3

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #3. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 48 general physics degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $74,578 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from Yale University

4

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #4. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 general physics degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,025. Get the full general physics details for Brown University

5

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for a strong general physics program will find one at Harvard University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 24 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $95,207 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. See the full general physics program report for Harvard University

6

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #6 for general physics this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 15 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the general physics program at San Jose State University

7

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis landed the #7 spot for general physics this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553. More information about a degree in general physics from Washington University In St Louis

8

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #8 for general physics this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 45 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. Get the full general physics details for University Of California Santa Barbara

9

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #9 spot for general physics this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 12 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958. Read more about the general physics program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

10

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University landed the #10 spot for general physics this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physics from Rice University

11

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago earned the #11 position for general physics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Chicago

12

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. 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 19 general physics degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from Princeton University

13

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #13 position for general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $68,154 in their early career. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. See the full general physics program report for Tufts University

14

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #14 position for general physics this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 47 general physics degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for Johns Hopkins University

15

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #15 for general physics this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 general physics degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from Columbia University In The City Of New York

16

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #16 position for general physics this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from Carnegie Mellon University

17

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester came in at #17 for general physics this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the general physics program at University Of Rochester

18

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #18 spot for general physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 40 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $88,623. Typical student debt for the program is $21,100. See the full general physics program report for University Of California Los Angeles

19

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #19 for general physics this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $78,272 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,508. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of California Berkeley

20

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary landed the #20 spot for general physics this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 11 general physics students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $53,338 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. See the full general physics program report for College Of William And Mary

21

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology earned the #21 position for general physics this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. About 14 general physics degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $173,344 in their early career. Read more about the general physics program at California Institute Of Technology

22

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #22 among the best general physics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Illinois At Chicago

23

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #23 spot for general physics this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 13 general physics degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. More information about a degree in general physics from Auburn University

24

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #24 spot for general physics this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 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. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of California Davis

25

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University landed the #25 spot for general physics this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 23 general physics degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $50,933 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,961. See the full general physics program report for Cornell University