Physical Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 1522 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physical sciences schools.
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Choosing a Great Physical Sciences School
The physical sciences program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Physical Sciences rankings. For our Best Overall Physical Sciences School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Physical Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for physical sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 241 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Get the full physical sciences details for Stanford University
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 109 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500.
Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Southern California
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 138 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Northwestern University earn around $90,302 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
See the full physical sciences program report for Northwestern University
Georgetown University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 43 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $79,632 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
Get the full physical sciences details for Georgetown University
Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 248 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $74,352 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Pennsylvania
San Jose State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 102 physical sciences degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Read more about the physical sciences program at San Jose State University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 467 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full physical sciences program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Vanderbilt University landed the #8 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Vanderbilt University awarded about 82 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Vanderbilt University
Dartmouth College came in at #9 for physical sciences this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 74 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $81,992 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Dartmouth College
Rice University came in at #10 for physical sciences this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 129 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $75,299 in their early career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
Get the full physical sciences details for Rice University
Harvard University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. About 244 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Get the full physical sciences details for Harvard University
Brown University placed #12 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 168 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Brown University
Washington University In St Louis ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 116 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $68,303 in their early career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,360 in student loans.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Washington University In St Louis
University Of Chicago earned the #14 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 296 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Chicago
University Of California Berkeley ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 536 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $81,553. Students borrow a median of $13,352 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of California Berkeley
Marquette University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. About 26 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $60,443 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,122.
See the full physical sciences program report for Marquette University
Tufts University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. 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 80 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Tufts University
Middlebury College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Middlebury College awarded about 28 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $54,713. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for Middlebury College
Princeton University earned the #19 position for physical sciences this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. About 98% of students finish within six years. About 221 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Princeton University
Amherst College came in at #20 for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Amherst College graduates 94% of students within six years. About 38 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Amherst College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Amherst College earn around $59,271 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,398.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Amherst College
Drake University earned the #21 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical sciences details for Drake University
Colgate University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. 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 35 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences 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 physical sciences program at Colgate University
Duke University earned the #23 position for physical sciences this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 116 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Duke University earn around $29,748 in the first couple years of their career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $8,457 in student loans.
Get the full physical sciences details for Duke University
Wesleyan University earned the #24 position for physical sciences this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Wesleyan University graduates 93% of students within six years. About 52 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Wesleyan University
University Of Rochester came in at #25 for physical sciences this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 188 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $19,590 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Rochester
Rest of the Top 50 Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1522 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).
