Physical Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physical sciences programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1522 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physical sciences students pursuing a degree.
No school ranked higher than College Of The Canyons this year for physical sciences. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. College Of The Canyons awarded about 32 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at Middlesex County College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. There were roughly 172 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Middlesex County College in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $27,136 early in their careers. Middlesex County College graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans.
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Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #3. This large public university is located in the city of Lakewood. About 41 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $39,975 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,154.
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Clark College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #4. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. Clark College awarded about 32 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Clark College earn around $43,768 in the first couple years of their career. Clark College graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at Cuny Medgar Evers College, which ranked #5. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Brooklyn. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Medgar Evers College awarded about 111 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $27,203. Cuny Medgar Evers College graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans.
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Seattle Community College North Campus placed #6 among the best physical sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 23 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College North Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Seattle Community College North Campus earn around $48,739 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for Seattle Community College North Campus
Moorpark College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. About 73 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Moorpark College in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Moorpark College graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans.
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Utah Valley University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. There were roughly 60 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Utah Valley University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for Utah Valley University
College Of San Mateo came in at #9 for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. College Of San Mateo awarded about 37 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831.
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Bellevue College landed the #10 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. About 22 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Bellevue College in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Bellevue College earn a median of $67,771 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,839 to complete this degree.
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Diablo Valley College landed the #11 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Diablo Valley College awarded about 69 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Diablo Valley College earn around $27,813 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205.
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Santa Barbara City College landed the #12 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. There were roughly 61 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Santa Barbara City College earn around $68,184 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree.
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Orange Coast College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 85 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Orange Coast College earn around $46,306 in the first couple years of their career. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans.
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Shoreline Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Shoreline. About 22 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Shoreline Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $62,009 in their early career. Shoreline Community College graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans.
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San Diego Miramar College earned the #15 position for physical sciences this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego Miramar College awarded about 45 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $41,038 in their early career. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans.
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Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #16 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 46 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Chandler Gilbert Community College graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans.
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Austin Community College District ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 27 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,412.
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Napa Valley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Napa, Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 15 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Napa Valley College in the most recent year.
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Suny Empire State College placed #19 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. About 36% of students finish within six years. About 20 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Suny Empire State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $59,562. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
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Saddleback College landed the #20 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. About 115 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Saddleback College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $15,890 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete this degree.
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Santiago Canyon College earned the #21 position for physical sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of Orange. There were roughly 45 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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Green River Community College landed the #22 spot for physical sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of Auburn. There were roughly 44 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Green River Community College in the most recent data year.
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Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #23 position for physical sciences this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Cuny Laguardia Community College awarded about 54 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $19,815 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
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Highline Community College landed the #24 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 33 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Highline Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. Typical student debt for the program is $8,958.
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Irvine Valley College placed #25 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. There were roughly 166 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Irvine Valley College in the most recent data year. Irvine Valley College graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans.
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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. 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 · 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).
