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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

11 Colleges in the United States
1,652 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$47,683 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physical sciences programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 56 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 the Rocky Mountains Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Physical Sciences

1

Brigham Young University Provo tops our 2026 ranking of the best physical sciences schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Brigham Young University Provo graduates 81% of students within six years. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 126 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $68,664. Brigham Young University Provo graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Brigham Young University Provo

2

Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at Weber State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Weber State University graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Weber State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $49,845 in their early career. Weber State University graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Weber State University

3
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Colorado College awarded about 26 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $37,342 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Get the full physical sciences details for Colorado College

4

Brigham Young University Idaho is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #4. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Brigham Young University Idaho in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Brigham Young University Idaho earn around $43,853 in the first couple years of their career. Brigham Young University Idaho graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Brigham Young University Idaho

5

University Of Colorado Denver is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Denver in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Colorado Denver earn around $66,022 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Colorado Denver graduates carry a median of $22,365 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Colorado Denver

6

Colorado School Of Mines landed the #6 spot for physical sciences this year. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 87 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $79,523 early in their careers. Colorado School Of Mines graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Colorado School Of Mines

7
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #7 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Utah awarded about 200 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $41,711. Typical student debt for the program is $19,857. More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Utah

8

Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #8 for physical sciences this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 147 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $57,310 early in their careers. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates carry a median of $21,205 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Colorado State University Fort Collins

9

University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #9 spot for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Boulder. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. About 350 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $50,681 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,337. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Colorado Boulder

10

Southern Utah University placed #10 among the best physical sciences schools. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Southern Utah University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Southern Utah University graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Southern Utah University

11

Utah Valley University landed the #11 spot for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Utah Valley University awarded about 60 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Typical student debt for the program is $16,478. Read more about the physical sciences program at Utah Valley University

12

University Of Wyoming landed the #12 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wyoming awarded about 84 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $42,587. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Wyoming

13

The University Of Montana ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Montana awarded about 41 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. Typical student debt for the program is $24,342. See the full physical sciences program report for The University Of Montana

14

University Of Northern Colorado earned the #14 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 48 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Colorado in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Northern Colorado earn around $43,807 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,617 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Northern Colorado

15

Boise State University earned the #15 position for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Boise. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 82 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Boise State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $37,790 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Boise State University

16

Montana State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Montana State University graduates 57% of students within six years. About 154 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Montana State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Montana State University earn around $29,030 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Montana State University

17

Utah State University landed the #17 spot for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Logan. Utah State University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Utah State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Utah State University earn around $50,348 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,191. Get the full physical sciences details for Utah State University

18
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Fort Lewis College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Fort Lewis College earn around $34,159 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,417. Read more about the physical sciences program at Fort Lewis College

19

Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #19 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Roughly 31% of students complete a degree within six years here. Metropolitan State College Of Denver awarded about 38 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $34,417. Students borrow a median of $29,318 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at Metropolitan State College Of Denver

Narrow Physical Sciences Schools by State

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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 · 56 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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