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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region

25 Colleges in the United States
3,998 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$48,175 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 156 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 the Southwest Region

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

Top Schools in Physical Sciences

1
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

No school ranked higher than Rice University this year for physical sciences. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 129 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904. Get the full physical sciences details for Rice University

2

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 383 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $51,646 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,139. Get the full physical sciences details for Texas A And M University College Station

3

The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #3. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 389 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $55,331. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $19,001 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

4

The University Of Texas At Dallas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 131 physical sciences degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $51,073 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas

5

University Of Houston is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #5. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 158 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $67,696 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,222. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Houston

6

University Of Arizona placed #6 among the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 362 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $81,872. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $23,539 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Arizona

7

University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #7 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates 52% of students within six years. University Of Houston Clear Lake awarded about 22 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Houston Clear Lake earn around $51,252 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Houston Clear Lake

8

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 66 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

9

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #9 among the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 191 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $41,054 in their early career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $22,899 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

10

Arizona State University landed the #10 spot for physical sciences this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 247 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $36,808 in their early career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $23,035 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Arizona State University

11

Northern Arizona University earned the #11 position for physical sciences this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 100 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $41,191 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,654. Read more about the physical sciences program at Northern Arizona University

12

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #12 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 50 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $42,530. Students borrow a median of $25,861 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Texas State University San Marcos

13

Southwestern Oklahoma State University earned the #13 position for physical sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Weatherford. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. Southwestern Oklahoma State University awarded about 11 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,280 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,795 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Southwestern Oklahoma State University

14

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #14 spot for physical sciences this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Socorro. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology graduates 57% of students within six years. About 39 physical sciences degrees were awarded at New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,747. Get the full physical sciences details for New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

15
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University landed the #15 spot for physical sciences this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lamar University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $52,678 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988. Read more about the physical sciences program at Lamar University

16

Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 46 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $46,943 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Chandler Gilbert Community College

17

Baylor University came in at #17 for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Baylor University awarded about 72 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Baylor University

18

Austin Community College District landed the #18 spot for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 27 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Austin Community College District earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,412 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Austin Community College District

19

Texas Tech University came in at #19 for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Tech University awarded about 111 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Texas Tech University earn around $42,634 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $26,205 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Texas Tech University

20

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #20 for physical sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of Corpus Christi. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $47,130 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Texas A And M University Corpus Christi

21

University Of North Texas came in at #21 for physical sciences this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 80 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $38,006 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,351. More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of North Texas

22

Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #22 spot for physical sciences this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. There were roughly 43 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Glendale Community College Glendale Az

23

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #23 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin awarded about 22 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

24

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #24 for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of El Paso. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 79 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from The University Of Texas At El Paso earn around $48,335 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical sciences program at The University Of Texas At El Paso

25

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #25 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 66 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from The University Of Texas Pan American earn around $22,913 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. Read more about the physical sciences program at The University Of Texas Pan American

Rest of the Top 50 Physical Sciences Schools

These schools also placed among the best for physical sciences this year:

26
27
28
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
29
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX
30
31
32
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 156 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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