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

9 Colleges in the United States
474 Physics Degrees Awarded
$57,064 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 35 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 Massachusetts

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

Top Schools in Physics

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physics. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. About 102 physics degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $95,207 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from Harvard University

2
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. Tufts University awarded about 20 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $68,154 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Tufts University

3

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 81 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $54,773 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. See the full physics program report for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

4
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 physics degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $48,902. Wellesley College graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Wellesley College

5

University Of Massachusetts Lowell is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $48,324. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates carry a median of $22,177 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Massachusetts Lowell

6

Brandeis University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 23 physics degrees were awarded at Brandeis University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $47,783 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Brandeis University

7

College Of The Holy Cross placed #7 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. College Of The Holy Cross graduates 87% of students within six years. College Of The Holy Cross awarded about 15 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of College Of The Holy Cross earn a median of $51,478 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,387. More information about a degree in physics from College Of The Holy Cross

8
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #8 position for physics this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 physics degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Boston University

9

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #9 among the best physics schools. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates 52% of students within six years. About 18 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $54,669 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,106. Get the full physics details for University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

10

Northeastern University earned the #10 position for physics this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 physics students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $49,399 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Northeastern University

11

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #11 spot for physics this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 66 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

12

Bridgewater State University earned the #12 position for physics this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 physics degrees were awarded at Bridgewater State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. Typical student debt for the program is $26,632. See the full physics program report for Bridgewater State 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 · 35 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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