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

10 Colleges in the United States
1,236 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$39,687 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.

College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physical sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physical Sciences in Virginia

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

Top Schools in Physical Sciences

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Virginia Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 256 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $30,599 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,425. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 117 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $35,130 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,705. More information about a degree in physical sciences from College Of William And Mary

3

Randolph Macon College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 11 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Randolph Macon College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $40,317 in their early career. Randolph Macon College graduates carry a median of $26,432 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Randolph Macon College

4
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 70 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $46,310 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,422 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for James Madison University

5
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at Longwood University, which ranked #5. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $43,800. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Longwood University

6

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #6 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 230 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $49,678 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,405 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

7

George Mason University placed #7 among the best physical sciences schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 91 physical sciences degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $50,304. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Get the full physical sciences details for George Mason University

8

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #8 for physical sciences this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 131 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $38,666 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,256 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

9

Old Dominion University came in at #9 for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Old Dominion University awarded about 53 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Old Dominion University earn around $57,131 in the first couple years of their career. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for Old Dominion University

10
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #10 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Liberty University awarded about 27 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at Liberty University

11
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington placed #11 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $35,464 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,763. More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Mary Washington

12

Christopher Newport University landed the #12 spot for physical sciences this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Newport News. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $39,245 in their early career. Christopher Newport University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Christopher Newport University

13
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond landed the #13 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Richmond awarded about 24 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $22,881 in their early career. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Richmond

14

Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary earned the #14 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the rural area of South Prince George, Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary is a mid-sized public institution. Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary awarded about 151 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $20,219 in their early career. Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary

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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 · 37 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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