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• Step 1: Choose field
• Step 2: Set priorities
• Step 3: Your ranking of Physics programs

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• Funding / Scholarships
• Other rankings
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The rankings below have been generated just for you using the priorities you set on this page. You can change your priorities or get rankings for a different field.

How to Read Your Ranking

• Programs are ranked by their score, a weighted sum of the items you chose. (Details)
• Descriptions of each item are listed at the bottom of the page. (You can also see a description by mousing over items at the top of the table.)
• Your weight for each item is shown beneath the item at the top of the table. Weights range in magnitude from 0 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
• A positive weight means that you prefer larger values for the item. A negative weight means that you prefer smaller values for the item.
• Green values are at least one standard deviation better than the mean. Red values are at least one standard deviation worse than the mean.
• Data sources can be found below.

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Rank	Department	Your Score	Ed Eff (5)	Fac Qual (5)
Adjust your weights →			-+	-+
1.	Physics, Harvard University	21.3	4.7	4.9
1.	Physics, Princeton University	21.3	4.7	4.9
3.	Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology	20.7	4.6	4.9
4.	Physics, California Institute of Technology	20.2	4.6	4.8
5.	Physics, University of California-Berkeley	20.1	4.5	4.9
6.	Physics, Cornell University	19.6	4.5	4.8
6.	Physics, University of Chicago	19.6	4.6	4.7
8.	Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	18.5	4.4	4.7
9.	Physics, Stanford University	17.3	4.4	4.5
10.	Physics, University of California-Santa Barbara	13.9	3.9	4.4
11.	Physics, Columbia University in the City of New York	13.4	3.9	4.3
11.	Applied Physics, Yale University	13.4	4.0	4.2
11.	Physics, Yale University	13.4	4.0	4.2
14.	Physics, The University of Texas at Austin	12.8	3.8	4.3
15.	Physics, University of California-Los Angeles	12.3	3.8	4.2
15.	Physics, University of Washington-Seattle Campus	12.3	3.8	4.2
17.	Physics, University of California-San Diego	11.7	3.8	4.1
17.	Physics & Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania	11.7	3.8	4.1
19.	Chemical Physics, University of Maryland-College Park	10.6	3.7	4.0
19.	Physics, University of Maryland-College Park	10.6	3.7	4.0
Rank	Department	Your Score	Ed Eff (5)	Fac Qual (5)
Adjust your weights →			-+	-+
19.	Physics, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	10.6	3.7	4.0
22.	Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison	10.0	3.8	3.8
23.	Chemical Physics, Ohio State University-Main Campus	9.5	3.7	3.8
23.	Physics, Ohio State University-Main Campus	9.5	3.7	3.8
23.	Physics & Astronomy, Stony Brook University	9.5	3.7	3.8
26.	Chemical Physics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities	8.3	3.5	3.8
26.	Physics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities	8.3	3.5	3.8
28.	Physics, Brown University	7.8	3.6	3.6
28.	Physics & Astronomy (H A Rowland Dept), Johns Hopkins University	7.8	3.7	3.5
28.	Institute of Optics, University of Rochester	7.8	3.6	3.6
28.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester	7.8	3.6	3.6
32.	Physics, Carnegie Mellon University	6.6	3.4	3.6
33.	Physics, Purdue University-Main Campus	6.1	3.5	3.4
33.	Chemical & Material Physics Grad. Prog., University of California-Irvine	6.1	3.5	3.4
33.	Physics and Astronomy, University of California-Irvine	6.1	3.5	3.4
36.	Physics, Duke University	5.5	3.5	3.3
36.	Physics-Astronomy, Michigan State University	5.5	3.4	3.4
36.	Physics & Astronomy, Northwestern University	5.5	3.5	3.3
39.	Physics, Rice University	5.0	3.4	3.3
39.	Physics, University of Colorado at Boulder	5.0	3.4	3.3
Rank	Department	Your Score	Ed Eff (5)	Fac Qual (5)
Adjust your weights →			-+	-+
41.	Physics (Doctorate Only), CUNY Graduate School and University Center	4.9	3.3	3.4
41.	Physics, Indiana University-Bloomington	4.9	3.3	3.4
41.	Physics, University of Florida	4.9	3.3	3.4
44.	Physics, Boston University	4.4	3.3	3.3
44.	Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University	4.4	3.4	3.2
44.	College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona	4.4	3.4	3.2
44.	Physics, University of Arizona	4.4	3.4	3.2
44.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus	4.4	3.3	3.3
49.	Physics, Brandeis University	3.8	3.2	3.3
49.	Physics, Florida State University	3.8	3.2	3.3
49.	Physics, Texas A & M University	3.8	3.3	3.2
49.	Physics, University of California-Santa Cruz	3.8	3.3	3.2
49.	Physics, Washington University in St Louis	3.8	3.3	3.2
54.	Physics, North Carolina State University at Raleigh	3.3	3.2	3.2
54.	Physics and Astronomy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	3.3	3.3	3.1
54.	Physics, University of Notre Dame	3.3	3.3	3.1
54.	Physics, University of Virginia-Main Campus	3.3	3.2	3.2
58.	Physics, New York University	2.7	3.2	3.1
58.	Physics, Syracuse University	2.7	3.3	3.0
60.	Physics, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus	2.2	3.3	2.9
Rank	Department	Your Score	Ed Eff (5)	Fac Qual (5)
Adjust your weights →			-+	-+
61.	Acoustics, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	2.1	3.1	3.1
61.	Materials, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	2.1	3.1	3.1
61.	Physics, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	2.1	3.1	3.1
61.	Physics, University of Oregon	2.1	3.2	3.0
61.	Physics, University of Southern California	2.1	3.0	3.2
66.	Physics, College of William and Mary	1.6	3.1	3.0
66.	Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	1.6	3.1	3.0
66.	Physics, University of Massachusetts-Amherst	1.6	3.1	3.0
66.	Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University	1.6	3.1	3.0
70.	Physics, Case Western Reserve University	1.0	3.0	3.0
70.	Physics, Applied Physics & Astronomy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	1.0	3.1	2.9
70.	Physics, University of California-Riverside	1.0	3.1	2.9
70.	Chemical Physics Program, University of Utah	1.0	3.0	3.0
70.	Physics, University of Utah	1.0	3.0	3.0
75.	Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College	0.5	3.3	2.6
75.	Physics, Northeastern University	0.5	3.0	2.9
75.	Physics, University of California-Davis	0.5	3.0	2.9
75.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa	0.5	3.1	2.8
75.	Physics - PHYS, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	0.5	3.0	2.9
80.	Physics, Alabama A & M University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
Rank	Department	Your Score	Ed Eff (5)	Fac Qual (5)
Adjust your weights →			-+	-+
80.	Physics, Clemson University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, Florida Atlantic University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, Florida International University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics and Astronomy, Georgia State University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, Hampton University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, New Jersey Institute of Technology	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Joint Applied Physics, Rutgers University-Newark	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, Southern Methodist University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, The University of Texas Health Science-San Antonio	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, University of Central Florida	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, University of Idaho	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics (Applied), University of Maryland-Baltimore County	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics (Atmospheric), University of Maryland-Baltimore County	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, University of Missouri-St Louis	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, University of Nevada-Las Vegas	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico-Main Campus	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, University of South Florida	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Wyoming	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
Rank	Department	Your Score	Ed Eff (5)	Fac Qual (5)
Adjust your weights →			-+	-+
80.	Physics, Utah State University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, Wake Forest University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, Wesleyan University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, West Virginia University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
80.	Physics, Western Michigan University	0.0	2.9*	2.9*
107.	Physics, University of Houston	-0.1	2.8	3.0
108.	Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Pro., Kent State University-Kent Campus	-0.7	3.0	2.7
108.	Physics, Kent State University-Kent Campus	-0.7	3.0	2.7
108.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware	-0.7	2.9	2.8
111.	Physics, The University of Tennessee	-1.2	2.8	2.8
111.	Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University	-1.2	2.9	2.7
111.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Georgia	-1.2	2.9	2.7
111.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska at Lincoln	-1.2	3.0	2.6
115.	Physics, Drexel University	-1.8	2.9	2.6
115.	Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College	-1.8	2.9	2.6
115.	Physics, Ohio University-Main Campus	-1.8	2.9	2.6
115.	Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas	-1.8	3.0	2.5
119.	Physics and Astronomy - PHYS, University of Kentucky	-2.3	2.9	2.5
120.	Physics, Oregon State University	-2.4	2.7	2.7
Rank	Department	Your Score	Ed Eff (5)	Fac Qual (5)
Adjust your weights →			-+	-+
121.	Physics, SUNY at Albany	-2.9	2.7	2.6
121.	Physics and Astronomy, University of South Carolina-Columbia	-2.9	2.7	2.6
123.	Physics, Kansas State University	-3.5	2.9	2.3
123.	Physics, Lehigh University	-3.5	2.8	2.4
123.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Kansas Main Campus	-3.5	2.7	2.5
123.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri-Columbia	-3.5	2.8	2.4
123.	Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	-3.5	2.7	2.5
128.	Physics, Brigham Young University	-4.0	2.9	2.2
128.	Physics, University of North Texas	-4.0	2.8	2.3
130.	Physics, Illinois Institute of Technology	-4.1	2.5	2.6
130.	Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago	-4.1	2.5	2.6
132.	Physics, Temple University	-4.6	2.6	2.4
132.	Physics, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus	-4.6	2.6	2.4
134.	Physics, Montana State University-Bozeman	-5.2	2.6	2.3
134.	Physics, University of Hawaii at Manoa	-5.2	2.3	2.6
134.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus	-5.2	2.5	2.4
137.	Physics, Colorado School of Mines	-5.7	2.5	2.3
137.	Department of Physics, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	-5.7	2.5	2.3
139.	Physics, Colorado State University	-6.3	2.4	2.3
139.	Physics, Texas Tech University	-6.3	2.6	2.1
Rank	Department	Your Score	Ed Eff (5)	Fac Qual (5)
Adjust your weights →			-+	-+
139.	Physics, University of Alaska Fairbanks	-6.3	2.2	2.5
139.	Physics, University of Arkansas Main Campus	-6.3	2.6	2.1
143.	Physics, Catholic University of America	-6.9	2.3	2.3
143.	Physics, University of Maine	-6.9	2.4	2.2
145.	Physics, SUNY at Buffalo	-7.4	2.3	2.2
146.	Physics, University of Connecticut	-7.5	2.2	2.3
147.	Physics, New Mexico State University-Main Campus	-8.0	2.2	2.2
148.	Physics, University of Massachusetts-Lowell	-8.5	2.4	1.9
148.	Radiological Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Lowell	-8.5	2.4	1.9
150.	Physics, University of Missouri-Rolla	-9.1	2.2	2.0
151.	Physics & Engineering Physics (PEP), Stevens Institute of Technology	-9.2	2.0	2.2
152.	Physics, Clarkson University	-10.3	1.9	2.1
152.	Physics and Applied Physics, The University of Texas at Arlington	-10.3	1.9	2.1
152.	Optical Science & Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville	-10.3	1.9	2.1
152.	Physics, University of Alabama in Huntsville	-10.3	1.9	2.1
156.	Physics, Polytechnic University	-10.8	2.0	1.9
157.	Physics, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus	-10.9	1.8	2.1
157.	Physics and Astronomy, The University of Alabama	-10.9	1.8	2.1
157.	Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University	-10.9	1.8	2.1
160.	Physics, University of Miami	-11.4	1.8	2.0
Rank	Department	Your Score	Ed Eff (5)	Fac Qual (5)
Adjust your weights →			-+	-+
161.	Physics, Boston College	-12.5	1.8	1.8
162.	Physics, American University	-13.1	1.5	2.0
162.	Physics, Clark University	-13.1	1.7	1.8
164.	Physics, Auburn University Main Campus	-13.7	1.5	1.9
165.	Physics and Astronomy, Howard University	-14.2	1.7	1.6
166.	Physics and Astronomy, University of Mississippi Main Campus	-15.9	1.6	1.4
166.	Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute	-15.9	1.5	1.5
168.	Physics, University of Alabama at Birmingham	-16.0	1.1	1.9
168.	Physics, University of Rhode Island	-16.0	1.1	1.9
170.	Physics, Michigan Technological University	-16.5	1.4	1.5
171.	Physics, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology	-17.1	1.2	1.6
172.	Physics, George Washington University	-17.6	1.2	1.5
173.	Physics, Baylor University	-18.1	1.5	1.1
174.	Physics, Old Dominion University	-18.2	0.9	1.7
175.	Chemical Physics (Physical Chemistry), University of Nevada-Reno	-21.0	0.8	1.3
175.	Physics, University of Nevada-Reno	-21.0	0.8	1.3
177.	Physics, Texas Christian University	-24.9	0.7	0.7
178.	Physics and Space Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology-Melbourne	-28.3	0.3	0.5

Unranked Physics Graduate Schools

Item Descriptions

Your Score

Your customized program score is a weighted sum of points for each item. The weights were selected on this page. For an item with importance weight W, a program receives W × S points for being S standard deviations above average. Larger values are better.

Educational Effectiveness (Ed Eff)

Program effectiveness in educating research scholars and scientists, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not Effective" and 5 denoting "Extremely Effective." Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)

Faculty Quality (Fac Qual)

Scholarly quality of program faculty, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not sufficient for doctoral education" and 5 denoting "Distinguished." Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)

Missing Values

Missing values have been replaced with the average value for all programs in the field.

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

IPEDS is an annual, comprehensive set of surveys of all colleges and universities in the United States. The surveys are conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics.  Learn more

National Research Council

The National Research Council conducts assessments of doctoral programs in the United States every 10 to 15 years). The data we use are from the most recent assessment, the 1995 study Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States: Continuity and Change. Learn more about the NRC study's methods here; order a copy here. The next NRC assessment is scheduled for release in Summer 2009.  Learn more

Survey of Earned Doctorates

The NSF/NIH/NEH/USED/USDA/NASA Survey of Earned Doctorates is an annual survey of all new recipients of doctorates from US universities at graduation. The average of the response rates for the 2000–2004 surveys was 92%.  Learn more

Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering

The Survey is an annual assessment of the number and characteristics of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in science, engineering, and health-related fields. It is conducted by the National Science Foundation.  Learn more