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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Sciences Schools in New York

23 Colleges in the United States
2,963 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$41,975 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Sciences 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.

College Factual analyzed 89 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physical sciences schools.

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Best Schools for Physical Sciences in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical sciences education in New York.

Top Schools in Physical Sciences

1
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Our analysis ranked Colgate University the best school in the country for a degree in physical sciences. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $52,924 in their early career. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Colgate University

2

University Of Rochester is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Rochester awarded about 188 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $60,865 in their early career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $19,590 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Rochester

3
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

A rank of #3 makes Syracuse University one of the top schools for physical sciences. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 73 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $21,459 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for Syracuse University

4
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. Vassar College awarded about 27 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $37,412 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Vassar College

5
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

A rank of #5 makes Skidmore College one of the top schools for physical sciences. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Skidmore College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Skidmore College earn around $34,440 in the first couple years of their career. Skidmore College graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Skidmore College

6

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #6 spot for physical sciences this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 261 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $34,658 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $21,065 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

7

St Lawrence University earned the #7 position for physical sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Canton. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 22 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at St Lawrence University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from St Lawrence University earn around $39,993 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,192. Read more about the physical sciences program at St Lawrence University

8

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earned the #8 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute awarded about 70 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn around $60,348 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,242 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

9

Cornell University earned the #9 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 239 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $35,116 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,465 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Cornell University

10

St Johns University New York came in at #10 for physical sciences this year. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at St Johns University New York in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $57,686 early in their careers. St Johns University New York graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at St Johns University New York

11

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #11 for physical sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 138 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Read more about the physical sciences program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

12

Suny At Binghamton came in at #12 for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 119 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Suny At Binghamton earn around $35,115 in the first couple years of their career. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $18,680 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Suny At Binghamton

13

University At Buffalo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 153 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $55,530 in their early career. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University At Buffalo

14
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #14 among the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 252 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Stony Brook University earn around $35,782 in the first couple years of their career. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $22,313 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for Stony Brook University

15

Suny College At Oswego came in at #15 for physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Oswego in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $52,645 early in their careers. Suny College At Oswego graduates carry a median of $26,785 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Suny College At Oswego

16

State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #16 for physical sciences this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 28 physical sciences degrees were awarded at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from State University Of New York At New Paltz earn around $40,524 in the first couple years of their career. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for State University Of New York At New Paltz

17

Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Cuny Medgar Evers College graduates 20% of students within six years. About 111 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Cuny Medgar Evers College in the most recent 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. Get the full physical sciences details for Cuny Medgar Evers College

18

Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 120 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $48,374. Students borrow a median of $25,629 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at Rochester Institute Of Technology

19

Cuny Brooklyn College placed #19 among the best physical sciences schools. This large public university is located in the city of Brooklyn. About 54% of students finish within six years. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 44 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $34,239 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Cuny Brooklyn College

20
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College placed #20 among the best physical sciences schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. Suny Empire State College awarded about 129 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $59,562. Suny Empire State College graduates carry a median of $20,738 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for Suny Empire State College

21
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo placed #21 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Geneseo in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $27,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,449 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Suny At Geneseo

22
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany placed #22 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Suny At Albany awarded about 89 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $48,276 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,252. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Suny At Albany

23
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #23 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 267 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from New York University generally make around $35,982. New York University graduates carry a median of $23,045 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from New York University

24
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 100 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,340. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Cuny Hunter College

25
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #25 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. About 54 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Cuny Laguardia Community College in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $19,815 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500. Read more about the physical sciences program at Cuny Laguardia Community College

Rest of the Top 34 Physical Sciences Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences ranking:

26
27
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
28
Iona College crest
Iona College
New Rochelle, NY
29
30
31
32
33
34

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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 · 89 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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