2026 Best Physics Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Physics doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 959 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Physics doctoral degree schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. The median Physics program debt is $10,492. Read the full report on Stanford University
Out of the 959 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical Physics student debt is $16,616. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #3 on this year's Physics ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. The median Physics program debt is $26,774. Read more about Illinois Institute Of Technology
The strong Physics programs at University Of Chicago earned it the #4 place in the United States. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Out of the 959 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Northeastern University landed the #5 spot. Set in Boston, MA, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,162. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete their Physics program here. Get the full Northeastern University report
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,982 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Arizona landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. 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, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. University Of Arizona Physics students take on a median of $20,650 in debt. Get the full University Of Arizona report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. The median Physics program debt is $20,500. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Wake Forest University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Read the full report on Wake Forest University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Physics students take on a median of $23,594 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Iowa State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Get the full Iowa State University report
University Of Wyoming ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. This public school is set in Laramie, WY. University Of Wyoming graduates 59% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete their Physics program here. Read more about University Of Wyoming
Cornell University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,961 to complete their Physics program here. Read more about Cornell University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #14 among Physics schools in the United States. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical Physics student debt is $20,194. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Drexel University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Drexel University Physics students take on a median of $30,847 in debt. See the full Drexel University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Physics students take on a median of $20,333 in debt. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
Temple University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. Temple University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $26,259. See the full Temple University profile
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. The median Physics program debt is $13,426. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #19 position. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Baylor University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waco, TX. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Typical Physics student debt is $23,928. Get the full Baylor University report
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #21 among Physics schools in the United States. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. The median Physics program debt is $22,337. More on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Houston did well this year, earning the #22 position. University Of Houston is a public school based in Houston, TX. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $25,925. Get the full University Of Houston report
University Of Delaware did well this year, earning the #23 position. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical Physics student debt is $26,572. See the full University Of Delaware profile
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #24 position. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College Physics students take on a median of $21,348 in debt. Get the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Physics Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. University Of Nevada Reno is a public school based in Reno, NV. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical Physics student debt is $19,918. Read more about University Of Nevada Reno
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. The median Physics program debt is $18,627. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Physics program here. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Physics program here. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Rochester landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. University Of Rochester Physics students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. See the full University Of Rochester profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $23,490 to complete their Physics program here. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
University Of California San Diego placed #32 among Physics schools in the United States. Located in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,800 to complete their Physics program here. Read the full report on University Of California San Diego
Brandeis University placed #33 among Physics schools in the United States. Located in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Brandeis University Physics students take on a median of $25,653 in debt. More on Brandeis University
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. This public school is set in Boulder, CO. University Of Colorado Boulder posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $20,635. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. About 83% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $17,522 to complete their Physics program here. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #37 in this year's ranking. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. University Of Massachusetts Amherst posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $27,000. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #38 among Physics schools in the United States. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,831 to complete their Physics program here. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Boston University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Located in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Typical Physics student debt is $25,232. See the full Boston University profile
West Virginia University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Located in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. West Virginia University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical Physics student debt is $23,772. More on West Virginia University
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Saint Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Get the full University Of Missouri St Louis report
Texas Tech University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Texas Tech University Physics students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full Texas Tech University profile
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Troy, NY. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Typical Physics student debt is $20,270. Read the full report on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete their Physics program here. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Colorado School Of Mines posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. The median Physics program debt is $24,521. See the full Colorado School Of Mines profile
University Of Iowa landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. The median Physics program debt is $24,463. Get the full University Of Iowa report
University Of Illinois At Chicago did well this year, earning the #47 position. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete their Physics program here. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Chicago
University Of California Berkeley came in at #48 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,508 to complete their Physics program here. More on University Of California Berkeley
Syracuse University placed #49 among Physics schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Syracuse, NY. Syracuse University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Read the full report on Syracuse University
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Physics schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical Physics student debt is $21,100. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
Related Physics Rankings
Explore 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Physics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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