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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Physical Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania

8 Colleges in the United States
1,951 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$51,213 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 94 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physical sciences students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physical Sciences in Pennsylvania

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

Top Schools in Physical Sciences

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2026 ranking of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 248 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $74,352. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Pennsylvania

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #2. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 467 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Get the full physical sciences details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #3. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bucknell University graduates 86% of students within six years. Bucknell University awarded about 22 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $64,331 in their early career. Bucknell University graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Bucknell University

4
Gettysburg College crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Gettysburg. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 16 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Gettysburg College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $43,376. Typical student debt for the program is $26,309. See the full physical sciences program report for Gettysburg College

5

Franklin And Marshall College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 24 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Franklin And Marshall College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Franklin And Marshall College earn around $43,020 in the first couple years of their career. Franklin And Marshall College graduates carry a median of $20,411 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Franklin And Marshall College

6
Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College came in at #6 for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Haverford College awarded about 62 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the physical sciences program at Haverford College

7

University Of Scranton earned the #7 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Scranton graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Scranton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $56,861 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Scranton

8

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #8 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 185 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $89,327 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. See the full physical sciences program report for Carnegie Mellon University

9
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 51 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Typical student debt for the program is $19,707. Read more about the physical sciences program at Lehigh University

10

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for physical sciences this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. About 56 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

11
Juniata College crest
Juniata College
Huntingdon, PA

Juniata College placed #11 among the best physical sciences schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Huntingdon. Juniata College graduates 74% of students within six years. Juniata College awarded about 16 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Juniata College generally make around $30,552. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at Juniata College

12
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College earned the #12 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. Bryn Mawr College graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Bryn Mawr College in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Bryn Mawr College

13

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 223 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $52,147 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,692 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

14
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University landed the #14 spot for physical sciences this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 96 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $77,371. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Villanova University

15

Saint Francis University earned the #15 position for physical sciences this year. Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Loretto. About 74% of students finish within six years. Saint Francis University awarded about 10 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $63,097 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,729. See the full physical sciences program report for Saint Francis University

16

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #16 among the best physical sciences schools. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 65 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year. Read more about the physical sciences program at Pennsylvania State University World Campus

17

Pennsylvania Western University placed #17 among the best physical sciences schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of students within six years. About 24 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent year. See the full physical sciences program report for Pennsylvania Western University

18
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University placed #18 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Temple University earn a median of $42,022 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Temple University

19
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Drexel University awarded about 49 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Drexel University earn around $49,215 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,151. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Drexel University

20

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 50 physical sciences degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. See the full physical sciences program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

21

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #21 for physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn around $46,912 in the first couple years of their career. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

22

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #22 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 29 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,364 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,288 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

23

Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Harrisburg. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology awarded about 14 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $35,098 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,375. Get the full physical sciences details for Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology

24

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 22 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,040. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

25

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #25 among the best physical sciences schools. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,524 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,249. See the full physical sciences program report for Millersville University Of Pennsylvania

Rest of the Top 27 Physical Sciences Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong physical sciences education:

26
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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 94 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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