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Best Schools for Physical Sciences in the The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked Washington University In St Louis the best school in the country for a degree in physical sciences. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 116 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,360 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Washington University In St Louis
Drake University 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 city of Des Moines. About 73% of students finish within six years. Drake University awarded about 18 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $56,228 in their early career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Drake University
A rank of #3 makes Grinnell College one of the top schools for physical sciences. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grinnell College awarded about 34 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. Typical student debt for the program is $17,154.
Get the full physical sciences details for Grinnell College
Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at Bethel University Minnesota, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 25 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $61,465 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Bethel University Minnesota
Carleton College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Carleton College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $40,371 in their early career. Carleton College graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for Carleton College
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #6 for physical sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rolla. About 64% of students finish within six years. Missouri University Of Science And Technology awarded about 67 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $47,352 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,187.
See the full physical sciences program report for Missouri University Of Science And Technology
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #7 for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 288 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $48,954. Typical student debt for the program is $22,062.
Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Kansas State University placed #8 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 57 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Kansas State University earn around $51,543 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,138 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Kansas State University
The College Of Saint Scholastica landed the #9 spot for physical sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Duluth. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The College Of Saint Scholastica awarded about 15 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from The College Of Saint Scholastica earn around $60,431 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,755 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical sciences program at The College Of Saint Scholastica
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #10 for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 72 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $44,674 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $23,952 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Minnesota Duluth
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #11 among the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 147 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $44,710 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $18,655 in student loans.
Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of North Dakota landed the #12 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Typical student debt for the program is $25,110.
Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of North Dakota
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #13 for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 31 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,783.
Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Nebraska At Omaha
St Olaf College earned the #14 position for physical sciences this year. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 43 physical sciences degrees were awarded at St Olaf College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from St Olaf College earn around $44,020 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,486 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for St Olaf College
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 79 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $47,670 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,209.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Nebraska Lincoln
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #16 for physical sciences this year. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 33 physical sciences degrees were awarded at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn around $75,838 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Wayne State College earned the #17 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Wayne State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Wayne State College earn around $46,646 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Wayne State College
University Of Iowa landed the #18 spot for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 135 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Iowa earn around $44,847 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,956 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Iowa
University Of Kansas landed the #19 spot for physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 102 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $41,626 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Kansas
Southeast Missouri State University placed #20 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $43,255 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,289 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Southeast Missouri State University
Chadron State College earned the #21 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Chadron State College graduates 50% of students within six years. About 18 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Chadron State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Chadron State College earn around $47,254 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical sciences details for Chadron State College
Iowa State University placed #22 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 125 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Iowa State University earn around $56,629 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,173 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical sciences details for Iowa State University
Pittsburg State University earned the #23 position for physical sciences this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,669.
Get the full physical sciences details for Pittsburg State University
Coe College placed #24 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Coe College in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Coe College earn a median of $44,511 early in their careers. Coe College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Coe College
Fort Hays State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fort Hays State University awarded about 29 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $43,750. Students borrow a median of $28,808 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Fort Hays State University
Rest of the Top 36 Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences ranking:
Narrow Physical Sciences Schools by State