2026 Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Physical Sciences master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1522 schools 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 analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Stanford University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $10,492. See the full Stanford University profile
Northwestern University came in at #2 on this year's Physical Sciences ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Northwestern University Physical Sciences students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read more about Northwestern University
Out of the 1522 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #3 spot. Located in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,202. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $26,774. Read the full report on Illinois Institute Of Technology
The strong Physical Sciences programs at Rochester Institute Of Technology earned it the #4 place 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%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Rochester Institute Of Technology Physical Sciences students take on a median of $25,629 in debt. Read more about Rochester Institute Of Technology
You'll be in good company at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $19,001. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
University Of Chicago placed #6 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $15,854. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Northeastern University placed #7 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Northeastern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $25,441. Read the full report on Northeastern University
University Of Arizona placed #8 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,539 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. Read more about University Of Arizona
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $15,465. See the full Cornell University profile
University Of Houston ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Physical Sciences schools. Located in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $19,222. Get the full University Of Houston report
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #11 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. University Of California Santa Barbara is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $17,108. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
Johns Hopkins University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Physical Sciences students take on a median of $12,366 in debt. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $22,062 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Delaware placed #14 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $25,581. More on University Of Delaware
University Of California Berkeley ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Physical Sciences schools. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,352 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Physical Sciences students take on a median of $20,810 in debt. More on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Wyoming came in at #17 in this year's ranking. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Wyoming
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Physical Sciences schools. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Physical Sciences students take on a median of $21,597 in debt. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
Texas A And M University Kingsville did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. See the full Texas A And M University Kingsville profile
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Physical Sciences students take on a median of $19,139 in debt. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #21 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,803 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Drexel University placed #22 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Graduates carry a median of $30,151 in student loans. See the full Drexel University profile
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University Physical Sciences students take on a median of $24,173 in debt. See the full Iowa State University profile
Illinois State University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Located in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Illinois State University Physical Sciences students take on a median of $24,875 in debt. Read the full report on Illinois State University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #25 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $25,000. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Temple University placed #26 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Temple University Physical Sciences students take on a median of $24,000 in debt. More on Temple University
Baylor University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. Get the full Baylor University report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #28 position. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $20,990. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Physical Sciences schools. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $21,669. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $26,405. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
University Of Rochester placed #31 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Rochester posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $19,590 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. Read more about University Of Rochester
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Set in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $18,613 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. See the full University Of Nevada Reno profile
University Of Notre Dame ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Physical Sciences schools. 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. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $19,425 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #35 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Graduates carry a median of $21,205 in student loans. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,568 in student loans. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Colorado School Of Mines did well this year, earning the #37 position. This public school is set in Golden, CO. Colorado School Of Mines graduates 82% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Colorado School Of Mines Physical Sciences students take on a median of $24,521 in debt. Read the full report on Colorado School Of Mines
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Physical Sciences schools. Set in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. More on University Of Missouri St Louis
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. University Of Colorado Boulder Physical Sciences students take on a median of $22,337 in debt. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public school based in Baton Rouge, LA. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $16,322. See the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Physical Sciences schools. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $16,279. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $24,568 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Physical Sciences schools. Based in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. California State Polytechnic University Pomona Physical Sciences students take on a median of $22,597 in debt. More on California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Texas Tech University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Physical Sciences schools. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. Texas Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $26,205 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. See the full Texas Tech University profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #45 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,692 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Michigan State University placed #46 among Physical Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. About 81% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $28,289 in student loans. See the full Michigan State University profile
California State University Sacramento landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. California State University Sacramento posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $23,826. Get the full California State University Sacramento report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $17,011. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Physical Sciences students take on a median of $16,991 in debt. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
Brandeis University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brandeis University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $25,484. Read the full report on Brandeis University
Related Physical Sciences Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Physical Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Physical Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Physical Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Physical Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Physical Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Physical Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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 1522 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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