2026 Best Physics Schools in California

1

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

No school ranked higher than University Of Southern California this year for physics. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California 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. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at University Of Southern California

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 84 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. More information about a degree in physics from Stanford University

3

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

A rank of #3 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for physics. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 31 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full physics details for San Jose State University

4

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish 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. Graduates of the physics program make about $53,597 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,982. Get the full physics details for 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 physics, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 21 physics degrees were awarded at Harvey Mudd College in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Harvey Mudd College earn a median of $130,443 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,730. More information about a degree in physics from Harvey Mudd College

6

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 146 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their 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. See the full physics program report for University Of California Berkeley

7

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University landed the #7 spot for physics this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 physics students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Typical student debt for the program is $23,645. See the full physics program report for Pepperdine University

8

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College earned the #8 position for physics this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 physics degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $75,954 in their early career. Get the full physics details for Pomona College

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #9 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 147 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $88,623 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from University Of California Los Angeles

10

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology placed #10 among the best physics schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 physics students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. Read more about the physics program at California Institute Of Technology

11

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #11 for physics this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 75 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of California Davis earn around $53,749 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,464 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for University Of California Davis

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #12 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 94 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $43,144 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of California Irvine

13

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #13 for physics this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 115 physics degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Physics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,987 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $16,800 in student loans. See the full physics program report for University Of California San Diego

14

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #14 position for physics this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 14 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from California State University Fullerton

15

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 physics degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $65,223 in the first couple years of their career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of San Francisco

16

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 31 physics students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $50,955 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024. Get the full physics details for San Francisco State University

17

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #17 for physics this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 12 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $49,907 in their early career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Get the full 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 physics schools. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 10 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Redlands in the most recent year. Physics graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $57,218 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,175. Read more about the 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 earned the #19 position for physics this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 32 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the 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 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 physics schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. College Of The Canyons awarded about 32 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for College Of The Canyons

21

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #21 position for physics this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 physics students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from San Diego State University earn around $51,162 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417. See the full physics program report for San Diego State University

22

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos landed the #22 spot for physics this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 physics students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $56,018 early in their careers. California State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $19,069 in student loans. See the full physics program report for California State University San Marcos

23

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced came in at #23 for physics this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. University Of California Merced graduates 69% of students within six years. About 27 physics degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Typical student debt for the program is $18,318. Read more about the physics program at University Of California Merced

24

California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

California State University Channel Islands landed the #24 spot for physics this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Channel Islands in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from California State University Channel Islands earn around $44,753 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Channel Islands graduates carry a median of $16,997 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from California State University Channel Islands

25

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #25 for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 54 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $37,859 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of California Santa Cruz