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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Physics Schools in the Southeast Region

34 Colleges in the United States
1,176 General Physics Degrees Awarded
$55,067 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Physics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general physics programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 174 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general physics students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Physics in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general physics education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in General Physics

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for general physics. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296. See the full general physics program report for Duke University

2
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $41,505 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,906. See the full general physics program report for Davidson College

3

University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 44 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $69,126 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. Get the full general physics details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

4

Students looking for a strong general physics program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #4. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $62,647. Typical student debt for the program is $19,200. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

5

A rank of #5 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for general physics. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 general physics students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $53,338 in their early 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

6

University Of Central Florida ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 65 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $55,826 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,138 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for University Of Central Florida

7

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #7 among the best general physics schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. About 94% of students finish within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 81 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $83,560 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,831. Read more about the general physics program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

8
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #8 position for general physics this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Auburn University awarded about 32 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree. Read more about the general physics program at Auburn University

9
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #9 spot for general physics this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 general physics students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $52,997. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218. More information about a degree in general physics from James Madison University

10
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #10 among the best general physics schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,783. Read more about the general physics program at Clemson University

11

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 general physics students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $43,740 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,490. More information about a degree in general physics from North Carolina State University At Raleigh

12

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #12 spot for general physics this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 30 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $49,718. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete this degree. Read more about the general physics program at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

13

University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #13 among the best general physics schools. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates 64% of students within six years. About 32 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Huntsville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $62,903. Typical student debt for the program is $24,797. Read more about the general physics program at University Of Alabama At Huntsville

14
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #14 for general physics this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for University Of Florida

15
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University came in at #15 for general physics this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 10 general physics degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $43,800 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,649 to complete this degree. See the full general physics program report for Longwood University

16
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #16 among the best general physics schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 general physics degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,765 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for Florida State University

17

Florida International University landed the #17 spot for general physics this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 general physics degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Florida International University earn around $52,517 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,349. Read more about the general physics program at Florida International University

18

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. About 26 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $50,876 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

19

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #19 for general physics this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 33 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $70,150 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Get the full general physics details for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

20

University Of North Georgia came in at #20 for general physics this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 20 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of North Georgia in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. University Of North Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Get the full general physics details for University Of North Georgia

21

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $46,094 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

22
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University came in at #22 for general physics this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Emory University awarded about 24 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $67,840. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete this degree. Read more about the general physics program at Emory University

23

George Mason University landed the #23 spot for general physics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 31 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. See the full general physics program report for George Mason University

24

West Virginia University earned the #24 position for general physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 41 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. West Virginia University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. See the full general physics program report for West Virginia University

25

University Of Louisville ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Louisville awarded about 23 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $58,534. University Of Louisville graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Get the full general physics details for University Of Louisville

Rest of the Top 34 General Physics Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general physics ranking:

26
27
28
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
29
30
31
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
32
33
34

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 174 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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