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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Sciences Schools in the New England Region

13 Colleges in the United States
2,713 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$54,138 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 99 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physical sciences schools.

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Best Schools for Physical Sciences in the New England Region

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

Top Schools in Physical Sciences

1
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Our analysis ranked Dartmouth College the best school in the country for a degree in physical sciences. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 74 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989. Get the full physical sciences details for Dartmouth College

2
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Harvard University awarded about 244 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Harvard University

3
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 168 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at Brown University

4
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

A rank of #4 makes Tufts University one of the top schools for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 80 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Tufts University earn around $68,154 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074. See the full physical sciences program report for Tufts University

5
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at Middlebury College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Middlebury College awarded about 28 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $54,713 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,948. See the full physical sciences program report for Middlebury College

6
Amherst College crest
Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College landed the #6 spot for physical sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Amherst College in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $59,271 early in their careers. Amherst College graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Amherst College

7
Wesleyan University crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 93% of students finish 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. See the full physical sciences program report for Wesleyan University

8
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. Boston College awarded about 49 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Boston College earn around $66,132 in the first couple years of their career. Boston College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Boston College

9
Colby College crest
Colby College
Waterville, ME

Colby College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Waterville. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Colby College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $46,772 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Colby College

10
Bowdoin College crest
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College placed #10 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 42 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Bowdoin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Bowdoin College

11

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #11 for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 201 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $79,222. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

12
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College came in at #12 for physical sciences this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 45 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $48,902. Wellesley College graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Wellesley College

13
Bates College crest
Bates College
Lewiston, ME

Bates College earned the #13 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 90% of students finish within six years. Bates College awarded about 25 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Bates College earn around $43,933 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,226. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Bates College

14

Sacred Heart University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Fairfield. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 23 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Sacred Heart University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $62,864. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at Sacred Heart University

15
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #15 among the best physical sciences schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. Yale University awarded about 210 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Yale University earn around $65,336 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Yale University

16
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College came in at #16 for physical sciences this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. About 89% of students finish within six years. Smith College awarded about 39 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Smith College

17

University Of Rhode Island ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 85 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Rhode Island earn around $52,821 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,432. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Rhode Island

18

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #18 spot for physical sciences this year. This large public university is located in the town of Durham. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus graduates 76% of students within six years. About 64 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $52,064 early in their careers. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

19
Mount Holyoke College crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College placed #19 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 31 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Mount Holyoke College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $35,038 in their early career. Mount Holyoke College graduates carry a median of $22,041 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Mount Holyoke College

20

University Of Connecticut came in at #20 for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 138 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Connecticut earn around $46,728 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,226 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Connecticut

21

University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #21 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 103 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn around $48,324 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,023. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Massachusetts Lowell

22
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College placed #22 among the best physical sciences schools. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 40 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Williams College in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Williams College earn a median of $40,840 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. See the full physical sciences program report for Williams College

23

Northeastern University landed the #23 spot for physical sciences this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 102 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $57,828 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,441. Read more about the physical sciences program at Northeastern University

24

College Of The Holy Cross placed #24 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 49 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Holy Cross in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from College Of The Holy Cross earn around $47,313 in the first couple years of their career. College Of The Holy Cross graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from College Of The Holy Cross

25

Brandeis University came in at #25 for physical sciences this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brandeis University awarded about 46 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Brandeis University earn around $46,641 in the first couple years of their career. Brandeis University graduates carry a median of $25,484 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for Brandeis University

Rest of the Top 38 Physical Sciences Schools

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

26
27
Saint Joseph College crest
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT
28
29
Saint Anselm College crest
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH
30
31
32
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
33
34
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT
35
36
37
38

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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 · 99 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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