Best Physics Schools in New York

New York has 12 colleges offering Physics programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 106 recent graduates. Graduates in New York earn $49,977 on average within two years — 16% above the national average of $43,163, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Cornell University graduates earn $74,531 while Ithaca College graduates earn $29,250 — a $45,281 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NY

$49,977

NY Avg. Earnings

$43,163

National Avg.

135

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Physics in New York

Public Schools (3)

$41,193

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (9)

$51,734

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $10,541 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Physics Schools in New York, Ranked by Earnings

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$74,531

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,630

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 8.2%

Le Moyne College

Syracuse, NY · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 75.3%

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private

$69,338

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,448

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 58.5%

SUNY Oneonta

Oneonta, NY · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 70.2%

SUNY College at Geneseo

Geneseo, NY · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 63.5%

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

$47,260

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 71.4%

New York University

New York, NY · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,529

Graduates: 41

Acceptance: 9.4%

St. John's University-New York

Queens, NY · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 79.7%

Siena College

Loudonville, NY · Private

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public

$41,193

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,311

Graduates: 23

Acceptance: 49.0%

#11

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private

Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY · Private

$29,250

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 69.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Physics in New York?

Cornell University ranks #1 for Physics in New York with median graduate earnings of $74,531 within two years of graduation. There are 12 schools offering Physics programs in the state.

How much do Physics graduates earn in New York?

Physics graduates in New York earn an average of $49,977 within two years of graduation. This is 16% above the national average of $43,163 for this major.

What is the hardest Physics school to get into in New York?

Columbia University in the City of New York is the most selective Physics program in New York with an acceptance rate of 4.2%. The average acceptance rate across Physics programs in the state is 52.5%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Physics in New York?

In New York, private Physics programs produce average earnings of $51,734 vs $41,193 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 3 public and 9 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in New York

Marine Transportation $73,446 Computer Science $71,535 Computer Engineering $71,263 Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology $70,176 Industrial Engineering $69,459 Construction Management $67,560 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $66,924 Materials Engineering $66,884

All colleges in New York →

Physics in Other States

California Pennsylvania Texas Virginia New Jersey Massachusetts Oregon Washington Illinois Connecticut Florida North Carolina View All →

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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.