Theoretical Physics in the US: 100+ Best colleges Ranked

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Theoretical Physics. A graph of 18.5M citations received by 357K academic papers made by 404 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Theoretical Physics

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Theoretical Physics

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

3. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Theoretical Physics

#3 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

4. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Theoretical Physics

#4 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

5. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Theoretical Physics

#5 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $14,513
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $72,373

6. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Theoretical Physics

#6 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

7. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Theoretical Physics

#7 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

8. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Theoretical Physics

#8 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

9. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Theoretical Physics

#9 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

10. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Theoretical Physics

#10 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

11. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Theoretical Physics

#11 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

12. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Theoretical Physics

#12 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

13. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Theoretical Physics

#13 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

14. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Theoretical Physics

#14 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

15. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Theoretical Physics

#15 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

16. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Theoretical Physics

#16 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

17. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Theoretical Physics

#18 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

18. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Theoretical Physics

#19 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

19. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Theoretical Physics

#20 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

20. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Theoretical Physics

#21 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

21. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Theoretical Physics

#22 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

22. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Theoretical Physics

#23 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

23. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Theoretical Physics

#24 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

24. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Theoretical Physics

#27 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

25. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Theoretical Physics

#28 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

26. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Theoretical Physics

#29 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

27. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Theoretical Physics

#30 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

28. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Theoretical Physics

#31 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

29. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Theoretical Physics

#33 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

30. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Theoretical Physics

#34 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

31. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Theoretical Physics

#35 in North America

#65 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

32. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Theoretical Physics

#36 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

33. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Theoretical Physics

#37 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

34. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Theoretical Physics

#38 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

35. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Theoretical Physics

#39 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

36. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Theoretical Physics

#41 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

37. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Theoretical Physics

#42 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

38. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Theoretical Physics

#44 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

39. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Theoretical Physics

#45 in North America

#105 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,215

40. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Theoretical Physics

#46 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Receiving Aid: 64%
Average Aid: $22,774
Enrollment: 19,938

41. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Theoretical Physics

#47 in North America

#112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

42. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Theoretical Physics

#48 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

43. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Theoretical Physics

#49 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 73%

44. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Theoretical Physics

#50 in North America

#123 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

45. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Theoretical Physics

#51 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

46. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Theoretical Physics

#52 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

47. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Theoretical Physics

#53 in North America

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

48. Brandeis University

Massachusetts | Waltham

For Theoretical Physics

#55 in North America

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $43,550

49. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Theoretical Physics

#56 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

50. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Theoretical Physics

#57 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

51. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Theoretical Physics

#58 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $34,207

52. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Theoretical Physics

#59 in North America

#159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

53. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Theoretical Physics

#60 in North America

#166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

54. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Theoretical Physics

#61 in North America

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,367

55. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Theoretical Physics

#62 in North America

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

56. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Theoretical Physics

#63 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

57. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Theoretical Physics

#64 in North America

#187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1508
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,300

58. CUNY City College

New York State | New York City

For Theoretical Physics

#65 in North America

#191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1250
Receiving Aid: 90%
Average Aid: $9,763

59. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Theoretical Physics

#66 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $47,427

60. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Theoretical Physics

#67 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

61. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Theoretical Physics

#69 in North America

#220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

62. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Theoretical Physics

#70 in North America

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

63. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Theoretical Physics

#71 in North America

#222 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $24,355
Enrollment: 26,384

64. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Theoretical Physics

#72 in North America

#234 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

65. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Theoretical Physics

#73 in North America

#235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

66. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Theoretical Physics

#74 in North America

#236 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

67. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Theoretical Physics

#75 in North America

#240 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

68. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For Theoretical Physics

#76 in North America

#241 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

69. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Theoretical Physics

#77 in North America

#243 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $14,837
Enrollment: 29,640

70. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Theoretical Physics

#78 in North America

#244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

71. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Theoretical Physics

#79 in North America

#245 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

72. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Theoretical Physics

#82 in North America

#266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $44,000

73. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Theoretical Physics

#83 in North America

#272 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

74. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Theoretical Physics

#84 in North America

#273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

75. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Theoretical Physics

#85 in North America

#275 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

76. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Theoretical Physics

#86 in North America

#282 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,589

77. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Theoretical Physics

#88 in North America

#291 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,397

78. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Theoretical Physics

#89 in North America

#301 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,322

79. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Theoretical Physics

#91 in North America

#308 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $6,347

80. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Theoretical Physics

#92 in North America

#311 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

81. Rockefeller University

New York State | New York City

For Theoretical Physics

#93 in North America

#313 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 281
Male:Female: 47:53
Founded: 1901

82. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Theoretical Physics

#94 in North America

#315 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

83. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Theoretical Physics

#95 in North America

#319 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

84. College of William and Mary

Virginia | Williamsburg

For Theoretical Physics

#96 in North America

#323 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 55%

85. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Theoretical Physics

#97 in North America

#324 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

86. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Theoretical Physics

#99 in North America

#330 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

87. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Theoretical Physics

#100 in North America

#333 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

88. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Theoretical Physics

#101 in North America

#337 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

89. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Theoretical Physics

#102 in North America

#339 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 92%

90. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Theoretical Physics

#103 in North America

#340 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

91. Kansas State University

Kansas State | Manhattan

For Theoretical Physics

#104 in North America

#342 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 95%

92. Saint Xavier University

Illinois | Chicago

For Theoretical Physics

#106 in North America

#358 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Net Price: $11,318
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $31,985

93. CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York State | New York City

For Theoretical Physics

#107 in North America

#367 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Enrollment: 9,536
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1961

94. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Theoretical Physics

#109 in North America

#397 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

95. Clarkson University

New York State | Potsdam

For Theoretical Physics

#110 in North America

#401 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $32,406

96. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Theoretical Physics

#111 in North America

#406 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

97. Baylor University

Texas | Waco

For Theoretical Physics

#112 in North America

#410 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $47,001

98. Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State | Stillwater

For Theoretical Physics

#113 in North America

#416 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 96%

99. Williams College

Massachusetts | Williamstown

For Theoretical Physics

#115 in North America

#428 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,894

100. Utah State University

Utah | Logan

For Theoretical Physics

#117 in North America

#432 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 92%

Physics subfields in the United States