2024 Best Colleges for Physics

If you’re searching for the best colleges and universities for Physics, you’re in the right place. Below is a list of all universities in the US offering a Physics degree or major, along with earnings after graduation, average student loan debt, acceptance rate and more. Read More

We rigorously analyzed a host of variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Physics programs in America. The list includes 724 programs and you can sort by average salary, debt, acceptance rate and more to hone in on the the best programs for you.

If you’re still wondering whether Physics is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Physics: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Physics. Please note that earnings are one metric of success that can be used to judge a Physics program, but are by no means the best or only option. However, because this variable is provided by the vast majority of universities offering Physics we used it as the primary method or ordering the best universities for Physics.

By scrolling all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Physics in America.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Physics Majors and Degrees

What is the best university for majoring in Physics?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the best university for majoring in Physics based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) earned an average of $84,653 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Physics?

Brigham Young University-Idaho is the cheapest university for majoring in Physics based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $3,830 to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Physics?

Columbia University in the City of New York is the most expensive university for majoring in Physics based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $53,000 to attend Columbia University in the City of New York.

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#1 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $84,653
Average Debt $12,820
Program Size 136
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
4 Year
Cambridge, MA
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , located in Cambridge, MA has 136 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $84,653.
Acceptance Rate 8%
Undergraduates 3,445 students
Tuition $46,704
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#2 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $74,531
Average Debt $14,597
Program Size 75
Cornell University
4 Year
Ithaca, NY
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Cornell University , located in Ithaca, NY has 75 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $74,531.
Acceptance Rate 15%
Undergraduates 7,129 students
Tuition $49,116
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#3 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $74,200
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 35
Northeastern University (NU)
4 Year
Boston, MA
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Northeastern University (NU), located in Boston, MA has 35 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $74,200.
Acceptance Rate 28%
Undergraduates 6,575 students
Tuition $45,530
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#4 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $71,957
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 46
Dartmouth College
4 Year
Hanover, NH
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Dartmouth College , located in Hanover, NH has 46 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $71,957.
Acceptance Rate 11%
Undergraduates 1,897 students
Tuition $49,506
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#5 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $69,338
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 55
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
4 Year
Troy, NY
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, located in Troy, NY has 55 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $69,338.
Acceptance Rate 42%
Undergraduates 1,994 students
Tuition $49,341
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#6 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $69,338
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 15
DePaul University
4 Year
Chicago, IL
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DePaul University , located in Chicago, IL has 15 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $69,338.
Acceptance Rate 72%
Undergraduates 6,392 students
Tuition $36,361
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#7 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $68,219
Average Debt $22,135
Program Size 106
University of Arizona
4 Year
Tucson, AZ
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University of Arizona , located in Tucson, AZ has 106 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $68,219.
Acceptance Rate 76%
Undergraduates 9,503 students
Tuition $11,403
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#8 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $67,660
Average Debt $19,000
Program Size 54
University of Notre Dame
4 Year
Notre Dame, IN
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University of Notre Dame, located in Notre Dame, IN has 54 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $67,660.
Acceptance Rate 20%
Undergraduates 3,628 students
Tuition $47,929
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#9 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $65,332
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 30
California State University San Marcos, Extended Learning
4 Year
San Marcos, CA
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California State University San Marcos, Extended Learning, located in San Marcos, CA has 30 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $65,332.
Acceptance Rate 54%
Undergraduates 3,507 students
Tuition $7,269
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#10 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $63,005
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 28
University of California-Riverside (UCR)
4 Year
Riverside, CA
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University of California-Riverside (UCR), located in Riverside, CA has 28 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $63,005.
Acceptance Rate 56%
Undergraduates 5,454 students
Tuition $13,527
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#11 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $61,516
Average Debt $25,000
Program Size 71
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
4 Year
San Luis Obispo, CA
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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, located in San Luis Obispo, CA has 71 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $61,516.
Acceptance Rate 31%
Undergraduates 5,066 students
Tuition $9,001
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#12 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $61,516
Average Debt $26,031
Program Size 40
Portland State University (PSU)
4 Year
Portland, OR
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Portland State University (PSU), located in Portland, OR has 40 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $61,516.
Acceptance Rate 86%
Undergraduates 6,057 students
Tuition $8,034
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#13 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $61,516
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 28
Missouri University of Science and Technology
4 Year
Rolla, MO
Missouri University of Science and Technology, located in Rolla, MO has 28 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $61,516.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 1,925 students
Tuition $9,048
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#14 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $61,516
Average Debt $27,166
Program Size 23
Columbia College Chicago
4 Year
Chicago, IL
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Columbia College Chicago, located in Chicago, IL has 23 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $61,516.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 1,998 students
Tuition $24,344
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#15 Best College for Physics
Average Salary $60,161
Average Debt $25,000
Program Size 38
Loyola University Chicago (LUC)
4 Year
Chicago, IL
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Loyola University Chicago (LUC), located in Chicago, IL has 38 students majoring in Physics. On average, graduates earn $60,161.
Acceptance Rate 71%
Undergraduates 4,485 students
Tuition $40,426
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