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Best Physics Schools in California

California has 10 colleges offering Physics programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 310 recent graduates. Graduates earn $44,470 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $43,621.

School choice matters significantly: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn $61,516 while University of California-Riverside graduates earn $33,993 — a $27,523 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

10
Schools in CA
$44,470
CA Avg. Earnings
$43,621
National Avg.
89
Schools Nationally

Physics Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

#1
C

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$61,516
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,120
Graduates: 27
Acceptance: 29.8%
#2
C

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$57,318
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 95.7%
#3
U

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $49,863
Graduates: 43
Acceptance: 27.8%
#4
C

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$50,022
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,252
Graduates: 33
Acceptance: 73.7%
#5
U

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$44,971
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $41,524
Graduates: 46
Acceptance: 24.5%
#6
U

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$41,193
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $43,877
Graduates: 55
Acceptance: 11.7%
#7
C

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$35,060
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $43,640
Graduates: 30
Acceptance: 47.1%
#8
U

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$34,526
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,226
Graduates: 36
Acceptance: 41.6%
#9
U

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $42,865
Graduates: 40
Acceptance: 8.7%
#10
U

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 63.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Physics in California?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ranks #1 for Physics in California with median graduate earnings of $61,516 within two years of graduation. There are 10 schools offering Physics programs in the state.
How much do Physics graduates earn in California?
Physics graduates in California earn an average of $44,470 within two years of graduation. This is 2% above the national average of $43,621 for this major.
What is the hardest Physics school to get into in California?
University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Physics program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Physics programs in the state is 42.4%.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Computer Science $72,889
All colleges in California →

Physics in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.