2026 Best Physics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University tops our 2026 ranking of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 24 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from Georgetown University

2

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is 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. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of Pennsylvania

3

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 94 physics students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Get the full physics details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Johns Hopkins University

5

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #5. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Graduates of the physics program make about $67,532 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Princeton University

6

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester earned the #6 position for physics this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Rochester awarded about 113 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Rochester earn around $60,865 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of Rochester

7

Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University placed #7 among the best physics schools. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 14 physics degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Colgate University earn around $52,924 in the first couple years of their career. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. See the full physics program report for Colgate University

8

Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College earned the #8 position for physics this year. Set in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Gettysburg College graduates 82% of students within six years. About 11 physics degrees were awarded at Gettysburg College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $43,376 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,309 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from Gettysburg College

9

New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. This large public university is located in the city of Newark. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 physics students who graduated with this degree at New Jersey Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. New Jersey Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from New Jersey Institute Of Technology

10

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #10 position for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 106 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $39,825. Typical student debt for the program is $20,194. See the full physics program report for University Of Maryland College Park

11

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #11 position for physics this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 40 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $89,327 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Carnegie Mellon University

12

Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College placed #12 among the best physics schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Haverford. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 23 physics degrees were awarded at Haverford College in the most recent year. See the full physics program report for Haverford College

13

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. 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. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 68 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

14

The College Of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ

The College Of New Jersey placed #14 among the best physics schools. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. About 15 physics degrees were awarded at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $56,617. Typical student debt for the program is $24,429. Read more about the physics program at The College Of New Jersey

15

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #15 among the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 42 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

16

Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College came in at #16 for physics this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 physics students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Vassar College earn around $37,412 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. See the full physics program report for Vassar College

17

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #17 for physics this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 70 physics degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $50,933 early in their careers. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,961 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from Cornell University

18

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #18 position for physics this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 physics degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,130. More information about a degree in physics from Syracuse University

19

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Troy. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute awarded about 48 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $60,348 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,270 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

20

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #20 among the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 84 physics students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $44,562. Students borrow a median of $21,683 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Stony Brook University

21

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton landed the #21 spot for physics this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Suny At Binghamton graduates 82% of students within six years. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 32 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. See the full physics program report for Suny At Binghamton

22

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #22 position for physics this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 30 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. More information about a degree in physics from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

23

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates 72% of students within six years. About 10 physics degrees were awarded at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $41,000. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Get the full physics details for State University Of New York At New Paltz

24

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo placed #24 among the best physics schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 physics students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $52,403 in their early career. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from University At Buffalo

25

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 16 physics degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in physics from Pennsylvania State University World Campus