IPEDS 2023 completions · bachelor's degrees · 485 colleges

Colleges that graduate the most physical sciences majors

485 of the 1,082 colleges CollegeCalcAI tracks awarded at least 10 bachelor's degrees in physical sciences in 2023, 21,955 degrees in all, 1.4% of every bachelor's degree those colleges granted. Penn State University graduated the most (323), and the ten largest programs account for 12% of the field's graduates at tracked colleges. Nationally the field is 1.29% of bachelor's degrees across 2,440 institutions, so it is represented in line with the national mix at the four-year colleges here. 45% of these graduates were women.

Colleges

485

awarding 10+ degrees

Degrees awarded

21,955

2023, bachelor's

Share of all degrees

1.4%

1.29% nationally

Median acceptance rate

76%

colleges in this field

Women

45%

of graduates

Your odds at any of these colleges, with Physics / Chemistry as the intended major, take about a minute.

Check my chances free →

Largest physical sciences programs

The 50 largest physical sciences programs by bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023. Click a college for its physical sciences page: share of campus, rank among its majors, gender split, and the admissions bar.

#	College	Degrees (2023)	Share of grads	Acceptance rate	SAT 75th
1	Penn State University · PA	323	3%	55%	1370
2	University of California, Berkeley · CA	295	3.2%	11%	1530
3	University of Texas at Austin · TX	271	2.6%	27%	1460
4	UC San Diego · CA	268	3%	27%	1490
5	University of Washington · WA	266	3.1%	39%	1450
6	UC Santa Barbara · CA	261	4.1%	33%	1430
7	UC Irvine · CA	240	2.9%	29%	1420
8	University of Florida · FL	233	2.5%	24%	1440
9	UC Santa Cruz · CA	226	4.9%	66%	1180
10	UCLA · CA	224	2.3%	9%	1510
11	University of Illinois · IL	200	2.3%	42%	1480
12	Texas A&M University · TX	199	1.5%	57%	1380
13	Purdue University · IN	183	2%	50%	1430
14	University of Colorado · CO	181	2.7%	78%	1340
15	Virginia Tech · VA	180	2.3%	55%	1370
16	University of Virginia · VA	170	3.9%	17%	1510
17	Arizona State University · AZ	169	1.1%	90%	1310
18	Stony Brook University · NY	162	3.6%	49%	1400
19	University of Minnesota · MN	160	2.2%	80%	1410
20	Washington State University · WA	156	2.8%	87%	1240
21	University of Arizona · AZ	150	2%	86%	1300
22	University of Michigan · MI	150	1.8%	16%	1520
23	University of Maryland · MD	147	1.8%	45%	1470
24	University of Pittsburgh · PA	146	3%	58%	1400
25	University of South Florida · FL	141	1.4%	43%	1320
26	Ohio State University · OH	139	1.2%	61%	1430
27	UNC Charlotte · NC	136	2.4%	80%	1210
28	University of Chicago · IL	135	7%	4%	1570
29	University of Wisconsin · WI	133	1.6%	45%	1440
30	University of North Carolina · NC	132	2.5%	15%	1470
31	UC Davis · CA	125	1.5%	42%	1380
32	NC State University · NC	122	1.8%	42%	1380
33	Emory University · GA	121	5.9%	11%	1520
34	U.S. Naval Academy · MD	120	11.4%	9%	1400
35	University of Missouri · MO	119	1.9%	78%	1330
36	UC Riverside · CA	117	2.2%	76%	1300
37	Cal Poly Pomona · CA	116	2%	75%	1300
38	Michigan State University · MI	114	1.3%	85%	1300
39	Harvard University · MA	111	5.8%	4%	1580
40	University of Utah · UT	111	2%	86%	1340
41	University of Oklahoma · OK	110	2.4%	77%	1340
42	Georgia Tech · GA	108	2.4%	14%	1530
43	Rutgers University · NJ	108	1.3%	58%	1410
44	Western Washington University · WA	105	3.5%	93%	1270
45	Appalachian State University · NC	103	2.4%	90%	1280
46	New York University · NY	101	1.3%	9%	1530
47	Cornell University · NY	100	2.6%	9%	1550
48	Oregon State University · OR	100	1.6%	77%	1310
49	Georgia State University · GA	98	1.9%	55%	1200
50	University of Massachusetts Amherst · MA	98	1.5%	60%	1380

435 more colleges award 10 or more degrees in this field: every one is listed further down this page, and in the CSV download.

Most concentrated in physical sciences

Where physical sciences is the biggest part of campus: share of all graduates, among colleges awarding at least 50 degrees in the field.

#	College	Degrees (2023)	Share of grads	Acceptance rate	SAT 75th
1	Haverford College · PA	62	19.3%	12%	1500
2	Carleton College · MN	54	12.7%	20%	1510
3	U.S. Naval Academy · MD	120	11.4%	9%	1400
4	Massachusetts Institute of Technology · MA	79	7.2%	5%	1570
5	University of Chicago · IL	135	7%	4%	1570
6	Emory University · GA	121	5.9%	11%	1520
7	Harvard University · MA	111	5.8%	4%	1580
8	William & Mary · VA	96	5.8%	34%	1480
9	Carnegie Mellon University · PA	89	5.3%	12%	1550
10	UC Santa Cruz · CA	226	4.9%	66%	1180
11	Princeton University · NJ	63	4.8%	5%	1570
12	Villanova University · PA	79	4.5%	27%	1460
13	Stanford University · CA	79	4.3%	4%	1570
14	Alabama-Huntsville · AL	63	4.3%	69%	1120
15	Case Western Reserve University · OH	53	4.2%	37%	1480
16	Dartmouth College · NH	52	4.1%	5%	1560
17	UC Santa Barbara · CA	261	4.1%	33%	1430
18	University of Missouri-Kansas City · MO	66	4.1%	72%	1270
19	Yale University · CT	68	4.1%	4%	1570
20	University of Virginia · VA	170	3.9%	17%	1510

How to get in for physical sciences

What readers look for from applicants who declare this field, at any selectivity.

Colleges publish one acceptance rate for the whole school, not per major, so there is no official admit rate for physical sciences. The median acceptance rate among the 485 colleges awarding it is 76%; the most selective (California Institute of Technology, 3%) and the most accessible (Southern New Hampshire University, 100%) both graduate substantial numbers in the field. CollegeCalcAI's calculator applies a published per-major adjustment for "Physics / Chemistry" on top of each school's own rate, so your estimate reflects the major you declare.

Chemistry and physics at the highest level, with calculus
A lab or research experience, even a small one, described specifically
Math depth matters as much as science grades here
Run your odds with the major set: your estimate for physical sciences →

Most selective colleges for physical sciences

Lowest acceptance rates among colleges awarding at least 25 physical sciences degrees.

#	College	Degrees (2023)	Share of grads	Acceptance rate	SAT 75th
1	California Institute of Technology · CA	34	14.5%	3%	1580
2	Columbia University · NY	84	3.5%	4%	1560
3	Harvard University · MA	111	5.8%	4%	1580
4	Stanford University · CA	79	4.3%	4%	1570
5	Yale University · CT	68	4.1%	4%	1570
6	University of Chicago · IL	135	7%	4%	1570
7	Brown University · RI	66	3.4%	5%	1560
8	Dartmouth College · NH	52	4.1%	5%	1560
9	Northeastern University · MA	47	1%	5%	1530
10	Princeton University · NJ	63	4.8%	5%	1570
11	University of Pennsylvania · PA	84	3%	5%	1560
12	Massachusetts Institute of Technology · MA	79	7.2%	5%	1570
13	Duke University · NC	37	1.7%	6%	1570
14	Vanderbilt University · TN	38	2%	6%	1560
15	Johns Hopkins University · MD	42	3.1%	6%	1560

Most accessible colleges for physical sciences

Colleges admitting 60% or more of applicants that still award at least 50 physical sciences degrees a year.

#	College	Degrees (2023)	Share of grads	Acceptance rate	SAT 75th
1	Southern New Hampshire University · NH	92	0.4%	100%	1130
2	University of Nevada, Las Vegas · NV	60	1.2%	96%	1180
3	Cal State San Bernardino · CA	65	1.5%	94%	1090
4	Sacramento State University · CA	51	0.7%	94%	1170
5	Western Washington University · WA	105	3.5%	93%	1270
6	Virginia Commonwealth University · VA	98	2.1%	93%	1240
7	University of Kansas · KS	58	1.4%	93%	1280
8	Commonwealth U Bloomsburg · PA	56	2.6%	93%	1120
9	Commonwealth U Lock Haven · PA	56	2.6%	93%	1120
10	Commonwealth U Mansfield · PA	56	2.6%	93%	1120
11	Cal State Fullerton · CA	50	0.5%	91%	1230
12	Arizona State University · AZ	169	1.1%	90%	1310
13	Appalachian State University · NC	103	2.4%	90%	1280
14	Northern Arizona University · AZ	75	1.4%	90%	1230
15	Sam Houston State University · TX	61	1.5%	90%	1160

Physical Sciences by state

States with the most physical sciences graduates at tracked colleges.

State	Colleges	Degrees (2023)	Share of field
California	37	2,907	13%
Pennsylvania	39	1,566	7%
New York	34	1,339	6%
Texas	27	1,214	6%
Florida	15	906	4%
Virginia	16	867	4%
Massachusetts	20	850	4%
North Carolina	12	845	4%
Ohio	19	721	3%
Georgia	17	715	3%
Washington	8	687	3%
Illinois	16	675	3%

Every college for physical sciences

All 485 colleges awarding 10 or more bachelor's degrees in physical sciences in 2023, alphabetically. Each link opens that college's physical sciences page.

Alabama A&M University 14
Alabama State University 10
Alabama-Huntsville 63
Alaska Fairbanks 16
Allegheny College 12
Amherst College 38
Angelo State University 18
Appalachian State University 103
Arizona State University 169
Arkansas Tech University 21
Auburn University 38
Augusta University 31
Austin College 14
Austin Peay State University 20
Baldwin Wallace University 10
Ball State University 43
Bates College 25
Baylor University 31
Beloit College 24
Berry College 16
Bethel University (MN) 25
Binghamton University 84
Boise State University 63
Boston College 23
Boston University 62
Bowdoin College 42
Bowling Green State University 62
Bradley University 13
Brandeis University 31
Bridgewater State University 34
Brigham Young University 83
Brooklyn College 34
Brown University 66
Bryn Mawr College 21
Bucknell University 18
Buffalo State University 12
Butler University 21
Cal Poly Humboldt 46
Cal Poly Pomona 116
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 89
Cal State Chico 14
Cal State Dominguez Hills 15
Cal State East Bay 17
Cal State Fullerton 50
Cal State Long Beach 72
Cal State Los Angeles 35
Cal State Northridge 37
Cal State San Bernardino 65
Cal State San Marcos 27
Cal State Stanislaus 16
California Baptist University 21
California Institute of Technology 34
California Lutheran University 11
California University of PA 21
Carleton College 54
Carnegie Mellon University 89
Carthage College 16
Case Western Reserve University 53
Cedarville University 16
Central Michigan University 28
Central Washington University 43
Centre College 23
Chadron State College 18
Christopher Newport University 21
Clarion University 21
Clark Atlanta University 10
Clark University 12
Clarkson University 13
Clemson University 55
Cleveland State University 20
Coe College 17
Colby College 33
Colgate University 35
College of Charleston 58
College of the Holy Cross 49
College of Wooster 24
Colorado College 26
Colorado Mesa University 24
Colorado State University 68
Columbia University 84
Columbus State University 26
Commonwealth U Bloomsburg 56
Commonwealth U Lock Haven 56
Commonwealth U Mansfield 56
Cornell University 100
Creighton University 28
CUNY Staten Island 10
Dalton State College 14
Dartmouth College 52
Davidson College 39
Denison University 13
Dickinson College 14
Drake University 18
Drew University 11
Drexel University 30
Duke University 37
Duquesne University 10
East Carolina University 47
East Stroudsburg University 13
East Tennessee State University 45
Eastern Connecticut State 19
Eastern Illinois University 19
Eastern Kentucky University 67
Eastern Michigan University 29
Eastern Washington University 29
Eckerd College 13
Edinboro University 21
Embry-Riddle Prescott 22
Emory University 121
Florida A&M University 13
Florida Atlantic University 80
Florida Gulf Coast University 11
Florida International University 97
Florida State University 77
Florida Tech 46
Fordham University 13
Fort Hays State University 23
Fort Lewis College 19
Franklin & Marshall College 24
Freed-Hardeman University 12
Fresno State University 41
Furman University 32
George Mason University 60
George Washington University 17
Georgetown University 24
Georgia College 16
Georgia Gwinnett College 17
Georgia Southern University 28
Georgia State University 98
Georgia Tech 108
Gettysburg College 16
Grand Valley State University 28
Grinnell College 34
Gustavus Adolphus College 38
Hamilton College 17
Hamline University 12
Harvard University 111
Haverford College 62
Hawaii Hilo 25
Hobart College 14
Hofstra University 16
Hope College 24
Howard University 28
Idaho State University 12
Illinois Institute of Technology 12
Illinois State University 48
Illinois Wesleyan University 18
Indiana State University 14
Indiana U of Pennsylvania 21
Indiana University 77
Indiana University Indianapolis 47
Iona University 10
Iowa State University 77
James Madison University 70
John Carroll University 18
Johns Hopkins University 42
Juniata College 16
Kalamazoo College 17
Kansas State University 23
Kean University 24
Kennesaw State University 50
Kent State University 49
Kenyon College 18
Kutztown University 22
Lafayette College 20
Lake Forest College 16
Lake Superior State University 21
Lamar University 11
Lander University 17
Lawrence University 23
Lebanon Valley College 10
Lehigh University 30
Lewis & Clark College 12
Lewis University 21
Liberty University 27
Lindenwood University 15
Longwood University 15
Louisiana State University 95
Louisiana Tech University 15
Loyola University Chicago 22
Luther College 13
Lycoming College 12
Macalester College 21
Marquette University 16
Marshall University 27
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 79
Mercer University 36
Metro State Denver 33
Miami University (Ohio) 53
Michigan State University 114
Michigan Tech 21
Middle Tennessee State University 46
Middlebury College 28
Midwestern State University 10
Millersville University 42
Minnesota Duluth 50
Minnesota State Mankato 12
Mississippi State University 92
Missouri S&T 39
Missouri State University 41
Missouri-St. Louis 13
Monmouth University 18
Montana State University 95
Montclair State University 36
Morehead State University 13
Morehouse College 10
Mount Holyoke College 31
Murray State University 38
NC State University 122
New Jersey Institute of Technology 16
New Mexico State University 21
New York University 101
Nicholls State University 12
Norfolk State University 10
North Carolina A&T State University 30
North Dakota State University 17
North Georgia 37
Northeastern State University 19
Northeastern University 47
Northern Arizona University 75
Northern Illinois University 50
Northern Kentucky University 19
Northern Michigan University 24
Northwest Missouri State 22
Northwestern University 34
Nova Southeastern University 10
Oakland University 12
Oberlin College 30
Occidental College 10
Ohio State University 139
Ohio University 61
Oklahoma State University 26
Old Dominion University 31
Oregon State University 100
Pacific Lutheran University 30
Penn State University 323
Pepperdine University 11
Pomona College 28
Portland State University 38
Prairie View A&M University 23
Princeton University 63
Purdue University 183
Purdue University Fort Wayne 11
Queens College (NY) 16
Radford University 18
Randolph-Macon College 11
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 48
Rhodes College 22
Rice University 45
Rider University 10
Rochester Institute of Technology 46
Rowan University 40
Rutgers University 108
Rutgers-Newark 23
Sacramento State University 51
Saginaw Valley State University 10
Saint Anselm College 16
Saint Joseph's University 11
Saint Louis University 15
Salisbury University 28
Sam Houston State University 61
San Diego State University 75
San Francisco State University 31
San Jose State University 67
SD School of Mines 22
Seton Hall University 20
Shippensburg University 12
Skidmore College 26
Slippery Rock University 29
Smith College 39
Southeast Missouri State University 15
Southeastern Louisiana University 13
Southern Arkansas University 32
Southern Connecticut State 26
Southern Illinois University 15
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 29
Southern Methodist University 17
Southern New Hampshire University 92
Southern Utah University 34
St. Cloud State University 28
St. John's University 16
St. Lawrence University 22
St. Mary's College of Maryland 11
St. Olaf College 43
Stanford University 79
Stephen F. Austin State University 25
Stockton University 22
Stonehill College 10
Stony Brook University 162
SUNY Brockport 15
SUNY Geneseo 40
SUNY New Paltz 28
SUNY Oneonta 16
SUNY Oswego 41
SUNY Potsdam 14
Susquehanna University 19
SW Oklahoma State 11
Swarthmore College 18
Syracuse University 36
Tarleton State University 15
Temple University 43
Tennessee State University 13
Tennessee Tech University 41
Texas A&M Kingsville 11
Texas A&M University 199
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 21
Texas Southern University 15
Texas State University 39
Texas Tech University 62
The College of New Jersey 39
Towson University 56
Trinity University (TX) 11
Troy University 10
Truman State University 12
Tufts University 34
Tulane University 18
U of Arkansas Fort Smith 21
U of Indianapolis 19
U.S. Air Force Academy 36
U.S. Military Academy 33
U.S. Naval Academy 120
UC Colorado Springs 15
UC Davis 125
UC Irvine 240
UC Riverside 117
UC San Diego 268
UC Santa Barbara 261
UC Santa Cruz 226
UCLA 224
UM Dearborn 11
UMass Lowell 42
UNC Charlotte 136
UNC Pembroke 22
UNC Wilmington 70
Union College 13
University at Albany 51
University at Buffalo 78
University of Akron 25
University of Alabama 65
University of Alabama at Birmingham 54
University of Arizona 150
University of Arkansas 67
University of Arkansas at Little Rock 14
University of California, Berkeley 295
University of Central Arkansas 16
University of Central Florida 81
University of Chicago 135
University of Cincinnati 73
University of Colorado 181
University of Connecticut 61
University of Delaware 65
University of Denver 14
University of Detroit Mercy 13
University of Florida 233
University of Georgia 68
University of Hawaiʻi 50
University of Houston 69
University of Idaho 25
University of Illinois 200
University of Iowa 77
University of Kansas 58
University of Kentucky 33
University of Louisiana at Lafayette 27
University of Louisville 35
University of Maine 24
University of Maryland 147
University of Maryland Baltimore County 37
University of Massachusetts Amherst 98
University of Memphis 48
University of Miami 46
University of Michigan 150
University of Minnesota 160
University of Mississippi 30
University of Missouri 119
University of Missouri-Kansas City 66
University of Montana 27
University of Nebraska 36
University of Nebraska Omaha 31
University of Nevada, Las Vegas 60
University of Nevada, Reno 72
University of New Hampshire 25
University of New Mexico 47
University of New Orleans 27
University of North Carolina 132
University of North Dakota 25
University of North Florida 17
University of North Texas 48
University of Northern Colorado 45
University of Northern Iowa 13
University of Notre Dame 44
University of Oklahoma 110
University of Oregon 55
University of Pennsylvania 84
University of Pittsburgh 146
University of Portland 13
University of Rhode Island 33
University of Richmond 24
University of Rochester 68
University of San Francisco 23
University of Scranton 14
University of South Alabama 17
University of South Carolina 44
University of South Dakota 11
University of South Florida 141
University of Southern California 45
University of Southern Mississippi 33
University of St. Thomas 14
University of Tampa 13
University of Tennessee 56
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 31
University of Texas at Arlington 34
University of Texas at Austin 271
University of Texas at El Paso 40
University of Texas at San Antonio 47
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 48
University of Toledo 19
University of Tulsa 12
University of Utah 111
University of Vermont 19
University of Virginia 170
University of Washington 266
University of Wisconsin 133
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay 12
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 38
University of Wyoming 45
Ursinus College 17
UT Martin 11
UT Permian Basin 15
Utah State University 33
Utah Valley University 30
UW-Eau Claire 65
UW-Green Bay 12
UW-La Crosse 24
UW-Oshkosh 15
UW-River Falls 28
UW-Stevens Point 16
UW-Whitewater 11
Valdosta State University 29
Valparaiso University 36
Vanderbilt University 38
Vanguard University 10
Vassar College 27
Villanova University 79
Virginia Commonwealth University 98
Virginia Military Institute 12
Virginia Tech 180
Wabash College 15
Wake Forest University 36
Washington & Jefferson College 12
Washington and Lee University 24
Washington College 10
Washington State University 156
Washington University in St. Louis 51
Wayne State College (NE) 22
Wayne State University (MI) 71
Weber State University 29
Wellesley College 45
Wesleyan University 39
West Chester University 46
West Florida 28
West Texas A&M 14
West Virginia University 49
Western Carolina University 71
Western Illinois University 28
Western Kentucky University 34
Western Michigan University 23
Western Oregon University 11
Western Washington University 105
Westmont College 15
Wheaton College (IL) 15
Wheaton College (MA) 11
Whitman College 28
Whitworth University 30
Wichita State University 16
Willamette University 19
William & Mary 96
Williams College 40
Winona State University 15
Wofford College 21
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 14
Wright State University 26
WV Wesleyan College 13
Xavier University 12
Xavier University of Louisiana 36
Yale University 68

Cite this page

CollegeCalcAI. "Colleges that graduate the most physical sciences majors." 2026. https://collegecalcai.com/majors/physical-sciences

Free to cite and reuse with attribution and a link.

Embed this stat

21,955physical sciences bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023 across 485 U.S. collegesSource: CollegeCalcAI

<a href="https://collegecalcai.com/majors/physical-sciences?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=statcard" style="display:inline-block;padding:16px 20px;border:1px solid #E5E9F0;border-radius:14px;text-decoration:none;font-family:system-ui,sans-serif;background:#fff">21,955physical sciences bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023 across 485 U.S. collegesSource: CollegeCalcAI</a>

Questions about physical sciences colleges

Which colleges graduate the most physical sciences majors?

By bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023, the largest programs among tracked colleges are Penn State University (323), University of California, Berkeley (295), University of Texas at Austin (271), UC San Diego (268), University of Washington (266). The full ranking of 485 colleges is on this page, with each school's share of graduates and acceptance rate.

How many students major in physical sciences?

21,955 students earned a bachelor's degree in physical sciences at the 485 tracked colleges in 2023, 1.4% of all bachelor's degrees at those schools. Across all 2,440 U.S. institutions reporting to IPEDS, the field is 1.29% of bachelor's degrees.

Is physical sciences a competitive major?

What share of physical sciences graduates are women?

45% of physical sciences bachelor's graduates at tracked colleges were women in 2023 (degree-weighted across 485 colleges, IPEDS completions by sex).

Where is physical sciences the biggest part of campus?

Measured as a share of all graduates, physical sciences is most concentrated at Haverford College (19.3% of graduates), Carleton College (12.7% of graduates), U.S. Naval Academy (11.4% of graduates), among colleges awarding at least 50 degrees in the field.

Other fields

Every field with its own hub, ranked by degrees awarded.

Business, Management and Marketing · 288,974 Health Professions and Related Programs · 159,095 Biological and Biomedical Sciences · 116,148 Psychology · 115,728 Social Sciences · 109,093 Engineering · 107,842 Computer and Information Sciences · 90,607 Education · 70,593 Visual and Performing Arts · 69,142 Communication and Journalism · 68,326 Parks, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies · 46,451 Multi and Interdisciplinary Studies · 44,065 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement and Firefighting · 37,728 Liberal Arts and General Studies · 29,746 All fields →

Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 Completions (bachelor's degrees, first majors, CIP 2-digit series), joined to CollegeCalcAI's admissions dataset. Built 2026-09-19. Download: CSV of every college in this field. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are not predictions or guarantees.