Theoretical & Mathematical Physics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theoretical & mathematical physics students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Choosing a Great Theoretical & Mathematical Physics School
The theoretical & mathematical physics program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Theoretical & Mathematical Physics School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Theoretical & Mathematical Physics in the United States
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 theoretical & mathematical physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Brown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in theoretical & mathematical physics. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 6,708 theoretical & mathematical physics students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Brown University graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans.
More information about a degree in theoretical & mathematical physics from Brown University
A rank of #2 makes Harvey Mudd College one of the top schools for theoretical & mathematical physics. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvey Mudd College awarded about 418 theoretical & mathematical physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theoretical & mathematical physics degree recipients from Harvey Mudd College generally make around $130,443. Students borrow a median of $22,730 to complete this degree.
See the full theoretical & mathematical physics program report for Harvey Mudd College
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theoretical & mathematical physics schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 11,392 theoretical & mathematical physics degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theoretical & mathematical physics degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $89,327 in the first couple years of their career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
See the full theoretical & mathematical physics program report for Carnegie Mellon University
Students looking for a strong theoretical & mathematical physics program will find one at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19,724 theoretical & mathematical physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theoretical & mathematical physics program make about $56,926 in their early career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans.
Get the full theoretical & mathematical physics details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for theoretical & mathematical physics. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 34,910 theoretical & mathematical physics students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theoretical & mathematical physics program make about $52,123 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,687 to complete this degree.
Read more about the theoretical & mathematical physics program at Indiana University Bloomington
University At Buffalo came in at #6 for theoretical & mathematical physics this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 18,910 theoretical & mathematical physics degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Graduates of the theoretical & mathematical physics program make about $52,403 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232.
Read more about the theoretical & mathematical physics program at University At Buffalo
Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Theoretical & Mathematical Physics. See all related rankings.
ADBLOCK #115
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
