Best colleges for Physics in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo leads: its Physics graduates earn a median $96,805 four years after finishing, against the field's $76,786 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $96,805 | +$20,019 |
| 2 | University of California-Irvine | $96,215 | +$19,429 |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley | $96,043 | +$19,257 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego | $95,018 | +$18,232 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Physics?
By graduate earnings, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo — its Physics bachelor's graduates earn a median $96,805 four years out, the highest of the 4 California programs in the federal file.
What do Physics graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $95,018 to $96,805. The field's national median is $76,786.
Is a Physics degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Physics graduates earn $28,426/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.