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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Physics Schools in Virginia

8 Colleges in the United States
226 Physics Degrees Awarded
$55,190 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools to find the best for physics students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physics in Virginia

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Physics

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Virginia Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in physics. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 44 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. Get the full physics details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 physics degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $53,338 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for College Of William And Mary

3
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 physics degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $52,997 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218. Read more about the physics program at James Madison University

4
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

A rank of #4 makes Longwood University one of the top schools for physics. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 physics degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $43,800. Typical student debt for the program is $25,649. More information about a degree in physics from Longwood University

5

George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 31 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. More information about a degree in physics from George Mason University

6

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #6 among the best physics schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 63 physics students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $58,061. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

7
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University came in at #7 for physics this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 physics students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $45,877 in their early career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Get the full physics details for Liberty University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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