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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physics Schools in New York

13 Colleges in the United States
785 Physics Degrees Awarded
$52,336 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physics schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physics in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physics education in New York.

Top Schools in Physics

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Rochester this year for physics. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Rochester awarded about 113 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $60,865 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Rochester

2
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at Colgate University, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 physics degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Colgate University

3

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 68 physics students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. More information about a degree in physics from Columbia University In The City Of New York

4
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 13 physics degrees were awarded at Vassar College in the most recent 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. Read more about the physics program at Vassar College

5

A rank of #5 makes Cornell University one of the top schools for physics. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 70 physics students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $50,933 in their early career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,961 in student loans. See the full physics program report for Cornell University

6
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #6 among the best physics schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 27 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $54,785 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from Syracuse University

7

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #7 for physics this year. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 48 physics students who graduated with this degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute generally make around $60,348. Students borrow a median of $20,270 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

8
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #8 among the best physics schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 84 physics degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent 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. Get the full physics details for Stony Brook University

9

Suny At Binghamton earned the #9 position for physics this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. 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. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from Suny At Binghamton

10

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #10 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. Graduates of the physics program make about $72,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Read more about the physics program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

11

State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #11 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. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 10 physics degrees were awarded at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $41,000 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at State University Of New York At New Paltz

12

University At Buffalo ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University At Buffalo awarded about 34 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232. Get the full physics details for University At Buffalo

13
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 18 physics degrees were awarded at Suny At Geneseo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $37,022. Suny At Geneseo graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Suny At Geneseo

14
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 15 physics degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,091. Get the full physics details for Cuny Hunter College

15

Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #15 position for physics this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 56 physics students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $48,374 early in their careers. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full physics details for Rochester Institute Of Technology

16
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #16 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 153 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $34,624 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Get the full physics details for New York University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 67 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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