2026 Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Physics bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 959 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Stanford University to be the best Physics school in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical Physics student debt is $10,492. See the full Stanford University profile
You'll be in good company at Illinois Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Get the full Illinois Institute Of Technology report
Out of the 959 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Northwestern University landed the #3 spot. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about Northwestern University
The strong Physics programs at University Of Chicago earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Physics program here. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on this year's Physics ranking in the United States. Set in Rochester, NY, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Rochester Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Rochester Institute Of Technology profile
University Of Delaware did well this year, earning the #6 position. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $26,572 to complete their Physics program here. Read more about University Of Delaware
Northeastern University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Set in Boston, MA, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans. Read the full report on Northeastern University
University Of Arizona ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Graduates carry a median of $20,650 in student loans. See the full University Of Arizona profile
Williams College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Located in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Williams College Physics students take on a median of $12,615 in debt. Read more about Williams College
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. The median Physics program debt is $15,982. More on University Of California Santa Barbara
Wake Forest University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Get the full Wake Forest University report
University Of Wisconsin River Falls did well this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in River Falls, WI. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. The median Physics program debt is $30,000. Get the full University Of Wisconsin River Falls report
College Of The Holy Cross landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. Students borrow a median of $26,387 to complete their Physics program here. See the full College Of The Holy Cross profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,594 to complete their Physics program here. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. The median Physics program debt is $20,500. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in Prescott, AZ, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $43,974 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,707 in student loans. See the full Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Physics program debt is $20,500. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
Iowa State University placed #18 among Physics schools in the United States. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. Iowa State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University Physics students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Read the full report on Iowa State University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Physics students take on a median of $20,194 in debt. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Cornell University placed #20 among Physics schools in the United States. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Cornell University Physics students take on a median of $15,961 in debt. See the full Cornell University profile
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Physics student debt is $21,948. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Union College New York did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Schenectady, NY, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Union College New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,039. Typical Physics student debt is $25,869. Get the full Union College New York report
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Physics program debt is $20,333. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
University Of Wyoming did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. More on University Of Wyoming
St Olaf College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in Northfield, MN, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical Physics student debt is $23,762. See the full St Olaf College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of California Berkeley ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Physics student debt is $15,508. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Drexel University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Drexel University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Drexel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $30,847 to complete their Physics program here. More on Drexel University
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #28 in this year's ranking. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in East Stroudsburg, PA. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Typical Physics student debt is $26,527. Get the full East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania report
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. About 71% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,292 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin La Crosse profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical Physics student debt is $22,250. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Wofford College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Spartanburg, SC, Wofford College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $56,005 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,643 in student loans. See the full Wofford College profile
Johns Hopkins University placed #32 among Physics schools in the United States. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Physics program here. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Texas A And M University College Station placed #33 among Physics schools in the United States. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $17,522. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Set in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical Physics student debt is $22,574. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #36 among Physics schools in the United States. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
Pacific Lutheran University did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Tacoma, WA, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $50,916 in tuition and fees. The median Physics program debt is $23,667. Read more about Pacific Lutheran University
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #38 among Physics schools in the United States. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. The median Physics program debt is $22,843. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Located in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,074. Students borrow a median of $22,845 to complete their Physics program here. Read the full report on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
University Of North Alabama landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Based in Florence, AL, University Of North Alabama is a public institution. University Of North Alabama posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $24,291. See the full University Of North Alabama profile
Temple University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Philadelphia, PA. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. More on Temple University
University Of Nevada Reno placed #42 among Physics schools in the United States. Set in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. The median Physics program debt is $19,918. Get the full University Of Nevada Reno report
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Set in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,270 to complete their Physics program here. Read more about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Set in Millersville, PA, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. The median Physics program debt is $26,486. Read more about Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Physics program here. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Physics students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
University Of Notre Dame ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #49 among Physics schools in the United States. Located in Galloway, NJ, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Typical Physics student debt is $24,990. Read more about The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
Oklahoma State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. The median Physics program debt is $22,337. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,357 in student loans. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Related Physics Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Physics Schools (All Levels)
- Best Physics Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Physics Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Physics Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Physics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Physics Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 959 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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