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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Sciences Schools in North Carolina

10 Colleges in the United States
1,306 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$46,065 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools to find the best for physical sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physical Sciences in North Carolina

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

Top Schools in Physical Sciences

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University tops our 2026 ranking of the best physical sciences schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 116 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $29,748. Students borrow a median of $8,457 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Duke University

2
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Davidson. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,906. Read more about the physical sciences program at Davidson College

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 221 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $53,734 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,279 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4

North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 205 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $63,861 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $21,669 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

5
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

A rank of #5 makes Wake Forest University one of the top schools for physical sciences. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 45 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Wake Forest University

6

East Carolina University placed #6 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. East Carolina University awarded about 73 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $47,312. Students borrow a median of $23,096 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for East Carolina University

7

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #7 among the best physical sciences schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 33 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

8

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #8 spot for physical sciences this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. About 107 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $49,398 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,801 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

9

Appalachian State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 118 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $51,371 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,587 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Appalachian State University

10

University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Asheville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $36,891. Students borrow a median of $12,825 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of North Carolina At Asheville

11

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #11 position for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 168 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $48,320 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,664 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

12

North Carolina A And T State University landed the #12 spot for physical sciences this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 46 physical sciences degrees were awarded at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,078. Get the full physical sciences details for North Carolina A And T State University

13

Western Carolina University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Western Carolina University awarded about 76 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $26,513 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,824. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Western Carolina University

14

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #14 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 22 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $35,579. Students borrow a median of $25,766 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

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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 · 41 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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