2026 Best Physics Schools

1

Duke University
Durham, NC

Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in physics. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. There were roughly 59 physics students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $83,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Duke University

2

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 34 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of Southern California

3

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #3 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for physics. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 84 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. See the full physics program report for Stanford University

4

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 physics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full physics details for Northwestern University

5

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 24 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $79,632 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. More information about a degree in physics from Georgetown University

6

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. 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%. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 93 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $74,352 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Pennsylvania

7

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #7 position for physics this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Brown University awarded about 86 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Brown University graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. See the full physics program report for Brown University

8

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 94 physics degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. See the full physics program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

9

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #9 for physics this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 102 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Harvard University

10

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #10 among the best physics schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 31 physics degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in physics from San Jose State University

11

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 36 physics degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Get the full physics details for Washington University In St Louis

12

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University earned the #12 position for physics this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 49 physics degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Rice University

13

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #13 position for physics this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 118 physics degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. 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. Get the full physics details for Johns Hopkins University

14

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #14 position for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 213 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $53,597 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,982 in student loans. See the full physics program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

15

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #15 position for physics this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 physics students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. 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. Get the full physics details for Princeton University

16

Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College landed the #16 spot for physics this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Middlebury. Middlebury College graduates 91% of students within six years. Middlebury College awarded about 19 physics degrees in the most recent data year. 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. See the full physics program report for Middlebury College

17

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago earned the #17 position for physics this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 107 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $81,002 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for University Of Chicago

18

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester placed #18 among the best physics schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. About 113 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of Rochester

19

Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University earned the #19 position for physics this year. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 physics students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $52,924 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Colgate University

20

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 physics students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074. More information about a degree in physics from Tufts University

21

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #21 position for physics this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 93 physics students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Yale University

22

Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College landed the #22 spot for physics this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 physics degrees were awarded at Bowdoin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from Bowdoin College

23

Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University landed the #23 spot for physics this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 22 physics degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125. Read more about the physics program at Wesleyan University

24

Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College placed #24 among the best physics schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 21 physics students who graduated with this degree at Harvey Mudd College in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Harvey Mudd College earn a median of $130,443 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,730 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Harvey Mudd College

25

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,494 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for University Of Notre Dame