2023 Most Popular Physics Schools in California
Finding the Best Physics School for You
In 2020-2021, 3,218 degrees and certificates were awarded to physics students who went to a California college or university. This makes it the #40 most popular major in the state.
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
The Most Popular Physics Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 147 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Physics program at each school on the list.
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2023 Most Popular Physics Schools in California
Check out the physics programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in California.
Top 15% Most Popular Physics Schools
Our analysis found University of California - Santa Barbara to be the most popular school for physics students who want to pursue a degree in California. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public school with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, physics graduates from UCSB carry an average student debt load of $17,525.
Full Physics at University of California - Santa Barbara Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Physics Schools in California list. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public school with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, physics graduates from UC Berkeley carry an average student debt load of $15,000.
Read full report on Physics at University of California - Berkeley
The excellent programs at University of California - Los Angeles helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best physics schools in California. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public college with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that physics majors at UCLA take out is $21,100.
Read full report on Physics at University of California - Los Angeles
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of California - Irvine is a great place for physics students. Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public college with a very large student population.
While working on their degree, physics majors at UC Irvine accumulate an average of around $20,814 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $201, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pasadena City College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Physics Schools in California list. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena.
With a ranking of #6, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for physics students. UC Santa Cruz is a large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz.
While working on their degree, physics majors at UC Santa Cruz accumulate an average of around $15,573 in student debt.
With a ranking of #7, University of California - Davis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for physics students. Located in the suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public college with a very large student population.
On average, physics graduates from UC Davis take out $18,250 in student loans while working on their degree.
Stanford University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for physics students. It came in at #8 on the list. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford.
University of California - Riverside landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular physics programs. Located in the city of Riverside, UCR is a public school with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, physics majors at UCR accumulate an average of around $22,248 in student debt.
Read full report on Physics at University of California - Riverside
University of California - San Diego landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular physics programs. UCSD is a fairly large public school located in the city of La Jolla.
The average amount in student loans that physics majors at UCSD take out is $19,042.
Irvine Valley College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular physics programs. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the large city of Irvine.
Moorpark College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for physics students. It came in at #12 on the list. Moorpark College is a large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Moorpark.
California Institute of Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for physics students. It came in at #13 on the list. Caltech is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena.
University of Southern California ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Physics Schools in California list. USC is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
While working on their degree, physics majors at USC accumulate an average of around $2,750 in student debt.
College of the Canyons came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Physics Schools in California ranking. Located in the large suburb of Santa Clarita, College of the Canyons is a public school with a large student population.
California State University - Long Beach landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular physics programs. Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public school with a very large student population.
While working on their degree, physics majors at CSULB accumulate an average of around $21,750 in student debt.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular physics programs. SBCC is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara.
With a ranking of #18, El Camino College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for physics students. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino College is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Golden West College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for physics students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Saddleback College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Physics Schools in California list. Saddleback College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo.
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Physics Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public college with a fairly large student population.
On average, physics graduates from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo take out $23,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $537, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
California State University - Fullerton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for physics students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public college with a very large student population.
Full Physics at California State University - Fullerton Report
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional popular schools for Physics students in the state of California that almost earned our Most Popular Physics Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Norco College | Norco, CA |
| 24 | Chaffey College | Rancho Cucamonga, CA |
| 25 | Santiago Canyon College | Orange, CA |
| 26 | Antelope Valley College | Lancaster, CA |
| 26 | California State University - Northridge | Northridge, CA |
| 26 | College of San Mateo | San Mateo, CA |
| 26 | Los Angeles Valley College | Valley Glen, CA |
Best Physics Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Most Popular Physics Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Washington | 392 |
| Oregon | 187 |
| Nevada | 50 |
| Hawaii | 10 |
| Alaska | 4 |
Physics Related Majors
One of 8 majors within the area of study, physics has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Majors Related to Physics
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 21,239 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 7,821 |
| General Physical Sciences | 3,823 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 1,375 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 1,140 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to A. T. Service.
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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