Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

95 Best Universities in California for Physics

Focusing specifically on Physics, our data science engine identified the 95 most influential universities in California. To determine these leaders, we isolated 1.42M specialized research publications which collectively generated 71.94M citations. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Physics California Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

Filter

Field of Study

Sub-Branch

1

Stanford

Stanford University

For Physics

#2 in United States #2 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

2

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Physics

#3 in United States #3 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

3

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For Physics

#7 in United States #7 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

4

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Physics

#9 in United States #9 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

5

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Physics

#15 in United States #16 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

6

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Physics

#23 in United States #24 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

7

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Physics

#31 in United States #33 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

8

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Physics

#32 in United States #34 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

9

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Physics

#46 in United States #51 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

10

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For Physics

#48 in United States #53 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

11

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For Physics

#64 in United States #75 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

12

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For Physics

#67 in United States #78 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

13

San Diego

San Diego State University

For Physics

#158 in United States #186 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

14

Monterey

Naval Postgraduate School

For Physics

#195 in United States #223 in North America

23% Acceptance

837 Enrollment

1335 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

15

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

For Physics

#211 in United States #242 in North America

85% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

16

San Francisco

San Francisco State University

For Physics

#213 in United States #244 in North America

96% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

17

Merced

University of California – Merced

For Physics

#220 in United States #251 in North America

91% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

2005 Founded

18

Loma Linda

Loma Linda University

For Physics

#221 in United States #252 in North America

74% Acceptance

3,665 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

19

Long Beach, CA

California State University – Long Beach

For Physics

#250 in United States #286 in North America

46% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

20

Fullerton

California State University – Fullerton

For Physics

#253 in United States #289 in North America

91% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

21

San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo

For Physics

#255 in United States #291 in North America

31% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

22

Los Angeles

California State University – Los Angeles

For Physics

#256 in United States #292 in North America

91% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

23

Los Angeles

California State University – Northridge

For Physics

#258 in United States #294 in North America

93% Acceptance

23,163 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1958 Founded

24

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

For Physics

#269 in United States #306 in North America

48% Acceptance

37,661 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

25

San Diego

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

For Physics

#282 in United States #322 in North America

76% Acceptance

281 Enrollment

1245 Avg SAT

26

Arcata

Humboldt State University

For Physics

#310 in United States #350 in North America

98% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1913 Founded

27

Fresno

California State University – Fresno

For Physics

#316 in United States #357 in North America

95% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

28

Stockton

University of the Pacific

For Physics

#324 in United States #367 in North America

71% Acceptance

15,924 Enrollment

1332 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

29

San Francisco

University of San Francisco

For Physics

#330 in United States #373 in North America

62% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1855 Founded

30

Orange, CA

Chapman University

For Physics

#333 in United States #376 in North America

65% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1861 Founded

31

Pomona

California State Polytechnic University – Pomona

For Physics

#339 in United States #382 in North America

75% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1938 Founded

32

Claremont, CA

For Physics

#341 in United States #384 in North America

7% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

33

Palo Alto

Palo Alto University

For Physics

#346 in United States #391 in North America

12% Acceptance

3,007 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1975 Founded

34

Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University

For Physics

#355 in United States #400 in North America

35% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1925 Founded

35

San Diego

University of San Diego

For Physics

#365 in United States #411 in North America

52% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

36

Sacramento

California State University – Sacramento

For Physics

#373 in United States #419 in North America

94% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

37

Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College

For Physics

#390 in United States #436 in North America

13% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1955 Founded

38

Los Angeles

Loyola Marymount University

For Physics

#401 in United States #448 in North America

45% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

39

Pleasant Hill

John F. Kennedy University

For Physics

#406 in United States #455 in North America

100% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1964 Founded

40

Chico

California State University – Chico

For Physics

#432 in United States #484 in North America

93% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

41

Vallejo

California State University Maritime Academy

For Physics

#439 in United States #491 in North America

95% Acceptance

2,441 Enrollment

1135 Avg SAT

1929 Founded

42

San Marcos, CA

California State University – San Marcos

For Physics

#447 in United States #499 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1989 Founded

43

Pomona

Western University of Health Sciences

For Physics

#449 in United States #501 in North America

8% Acceptance

3,738 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1977 Founded

44

Malibu

Pepperdine University

For Physics

#475 in United States #528 in North America

63% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

45

San Bernardino

California State University – San Bernardino

For Physics

#478 in United States #531 in North America

94% Acceptance

16,237 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

46

Rohnert Park

Sonoma State University

For Physics

#481 in United States #534 in North America

93% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

47

Los Angeles

Occidental College

For Physics

#494 in United States #549 in North America

44% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

48

Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

For Physics

#505 in United States #560 in North America

10% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

49

Culver, CA

West Los Angeles College

For Physics

#515 in United States #570 in North America

100% Acceptance

3,665 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

50

Hayward, CA

California State University – East Bay

For Physics

#549 in United States #604 in North America

97% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

51

Bakersfield

California State University – Bakersfield

For Physics

#559 in United States #614 in North America

94% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1965 Founded

52

Carson, CA

California State University – Dominguez Hills

For Physics

#560 in United States #615 in North America

93% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

53

Rosemead

University of the West

For Physics

#597 in United States #653 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1990 Founded

54

Moraga

Saint Mary’s College of California

For Physics

#599 in United States #655 in North America

87% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1863 Founded

55

Berkeley

Graduate Theological Union

For Physics

#658 in United States #718 in North America

91% Acceptance

124 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

56

Seaside

California State University – Monterey Bay

For Physics

#661 in United States #721 in North America

97% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

1994 Founded

57

Turlock

California State University – Stanislaus

For Physics

#673 in United States #733 in North America

98% Acceptance

15,257 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

58

Aliso Viejo

Soka University of America

For Physics

#682 in United States #742 in North America

43% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1422 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

59

Oakland

For Physics

#702 in United States #763 in North America

17% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1852 Founded

60

Redlands

University of Redlands

For Physics

#713 in United States #774 in North America

83% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

61

Fullerton

Marshall B Ketchum University

For Physics

#737 in United States #800 in North America

23% Acceptance

530 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1904 Founded

62

San Diego

United States University

For Physics

#777 in United States #842 in North America

100% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

63

Azusa

Azusa Pacific University

For Physics

#784 in United States #849 in North America

88% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

64

Santa Clarita

Master’s University and Seminary

For Physics

#814 in United States #881 in North America

84% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

65

Claremont, CA

Keck Graduate Institute

For Physics

#819 in United States #886 in North America

50% Acceptance

44,256 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

66

San Diego

Ashford University

For Physics

#831 in United States #898 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

$32,265 Net Price

67

Whittier

Whittier College

For Physics

#847 in United States #914 in North America

81% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

68

Claremont, CA

Scripps College

For Physics

#866 in United States #933 in North America

38% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1926 Founded

69

Claremont, CA

For Physics

#884 in United States #951 in North America

25% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1963 Founded

70

Santa Barbara

Westmont College

For Physics

#902 in United States #969 in North America

77% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

71

Camarillo

California State University – Channel Islands

For Physics

#909 in United States #976 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

2002 Founded

72

La Mirada

Biola University

For Physics

#919 in United States #986 in North America

74% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1908 Founded

73

Thousand Oaks

California Lutheran University

For Physics

#949 in United States #1018 in North America

76% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1959 Founded

74

Culver, CA

Antioch University

For Physics

#964 in United States #1033 in North America

81% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

75

La Verne

University of La Verne

For Physics

#967 in United States #1036 in North America

71% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

76

Berkeley

Wright Institute

For Physics

#1007 in United States #1076 in North America

91% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

77

San Francisco

California Institute of Integral Studies

For Physics

#1018 in United States #1087 in North America

90% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1968 Founded

78

San Diego

Newschool of Architecture and Design

For Physics

#1051 in United States #1121 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1980 Founded

79

Riverside

California Baptist University

For Physics

#1057 in United States #1128 in North America

85% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1950 Founded

80

Cypress

Cypress College

For Physics

#1058 in United States #1129 in North America

100% Acceptance

24,427 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

81

Oakland

Samuel Merritt University

For Physics

#1064 in United States #1135 in North America

66% Acceptance

959 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

82

San Diego

Point Loma Nazarene University

For Physics

#1067 in United States #1138 in North America

84% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1902 Founded

83

Riverside

La Sierra University

For Physics

#1090 in United States #1164 in North America

91% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

84

Los Angeles

Pacific States University

For Physics

#1147 in United States #1222 in North America

100% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1365 Avg SAT

85

Burbank

Woodbury University

For Physics

#1148 in United States #1223 in North America

82% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1884 Founded

86

Atherton

For Physics

#1178 in United States #1255 in North America

68% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

87

Costa Mesa

Vanguard University of Southern California

For Physics

#1195 in United States #1272 in North America

62% Acceptance

15,182 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1920 Founded

88

San Diego

Southern States University

For Physics

#1234 in United States #1311 in North America

95% Acceptance

41,137 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

$2,640 Net Price

89

Rancho Palos Verdes

Marymount California University

For Physics

#1251 in United States #1328 in North America

100% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1932 Founded

90

Irvine

Concordia University – Irvine

For Physics

#1252 in United States #1329 in North America

66% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1976 Founded

91

Los Altos Hills

Foothill College

For Physics

#1289 in United States #1367 in North America

100% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

92

Angwin

Pacific Union College

For Physics

#1340 in United States #1420 in North America

47% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1882 Founded

93

Modesto

Modesto Junior College

For Physics

#1400 in United States #1481 in North America

100% Acceptance

12,949 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

94

San Bruno

Skyline College

For Physics

#1417 in United States #1498 in North America

100% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

95

Santa Clarita

California Institute of the Arts

For Physics

#1440 in United States #1522 in North America

32% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1150 Avg SAT

1961 Founded