Best Physics Schools in California

California has 14 colleges offering Physics programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 359 recent graduates. Graduates earn $44,470 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $43,163.

Schools in CA

$44,470

CA Avg. Earnings

$43,163

National Avg.

135

Schools Nationally

Physics Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

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%

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,381

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 25.6%

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$41,193

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,877

Graduates: 55

Acceptance: 11.7%

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$44,971

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,524

Graduates: 46

Acceptance: 24.5%

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$50,022

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,252

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 73.7%

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 86.7%

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,865

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 8.7%

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$52,107

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $49,863

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 27.8%

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$34,526

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,226

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 41.6%

#10

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$35,060

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,640

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 47.1%

#12

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,387

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 93.6%

#13

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$57,318

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 95.7%

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 14 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 3% above the national average of $43,163 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 52.0%.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Science $72,889 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388

All colleges in California →

Physics in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.