Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

31 Best Universities in North Carolina for Physics

Focusing specifically on Physics, our data science engine identified the 31 most influential universities in North Carolina. Based on 299.4K scholarly articles and 11.86M peer-reviewed citations, we reveal the best research labs driving innovation in Physics. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Physics North Carolina Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

Filter

Field of Study

Sub-Branch

1

Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

For Physics

#36 in United States #40 in North America

15% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1460 Avg SAT

1789 Founded

2

Durham, NC

Duke University

For Physics

#40 in United States #45 in North America

6% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1838 Founded

3

Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

For Physics

#41 in United States #46 in North America

42% Acceptance

28,422 Enrollment

1385 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

4

Winston-Salem

Wake Forest University

For Physics

#137 in United States #161 in North America

22% Acceptance

3,246 Enrollment

1465 Avg SAT

1834 Founded

5

Charlotte

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

For Physics

#170 in United States #198 in North America

80% Acceptance

4,202 Enrollment

1235 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

6

Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

For Physics

#214 in United States #245 in North America

89% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1155 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

7

Greensboro

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

For Physics

#262 in United States #299 in North America

89% Acceptance

14,416 Enrollment

1253 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

8

Greensboro

North Carolina A&T State University

For Physics

#268 in United States #305 in North America

50% Acceptance

3,242 Enrollment

1105 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

9

Wilmington, NC

University of North Carolina Wilmington

For Physics

#327 in United States #370 in North America

64% Acceptance

3,193 Enrollment

1285 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

10

Boone

Appalachian State University

For Physics

#331 in United States #374 in North America

90% Acceptance

7,895 Enrollment

1200 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

11

Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

For Physics

#466 in United States #519 in North America

87% Acceptance

2,238 Enrollment

1205 Avg SAT

1910 Founded

12

Cullowhee

Western Carolina University

For Physics

#499 in United States #554 in North America

82% Acceptance

12,230 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1889 Founded

13

Davidson

Davidson College

For Physics

#511 in United States #566 in North America

13% Acceptance

1,869 Enrollment

1465 Avg SAT

1837 Founded

14

Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

For Physics

#582 in United States #637 in North America

93% Acceptance

5,437 Enrollment

1085 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

15

Elon

Elon University

For Physics

#583 in United States #638 in North America

66% Acceptance

6,452 Enrollment

1205 Avg SAT

1889 Founded

16

Laurinburg

St. Andrews University

For Physics

#584 in United States #639 in North America

100% Acceptance

71 Enrollment

1355 Avg SAT

1958 Founded

17

Charlotte

Queens University of Charlotte

For Physics

#591 in United States #647 in North America

62% Acceptance

1,225 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

18

Asheville

University of North Carolina at Asheville

For Physics

#607 in United States #663 in North America

92% Acceptance

8,791 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

19

Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

For Physics

#657 in United States #717 in North America

82% Acceptance

12,230 Enrollment

990 Avg SAT

1867 Founded

20

Greensboro

Guilford College

For Physics

#689 in United States #749 in North America

80% Acceptance

4,709 Enrollment

1190 Avg SAT

1837 Founded

21

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem State University

For Physics

#706 in United States #767 in North America

78% Acceptance

4,192 Enrollment

925 Avg SAT

1892 Founded

22

Winston-Salem

Piedmont International University

For Physics

#769 in United States #832 in North America

40% Acceptance

460 Enrollment

925 Avg SAT

1945 Founded

23

High Point

High Point University

For Physics

#773 in United States #838 in North America

75% Acceptance

5,135 Enrollment

1215 Avg SAT

1924 Founded

24

Greensboro

Greensboro College

For Physics

#962 in United States #1031 in North America

70% Acceptance

6,885 Enrollment

1190 Avg SAT

1838 Founded

25

Fayetteville, NC

Methodist University

For Physics

#981 in United States #1050 in North America

75% Acceptance

1,467 Enrollment

1165 Avg SAT

1956 Founded

26

Elizabeth City

Elizabeth City State University

For Physics

#1062 in United States #1133 in North America

64% Acceptance

3,242 Enrollment

1000 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

27

Raleigh

Meredith College

For Physics

#1189 in United States #1266 in North America

74% Acceptance

1,206 Enrollment

1223 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

28

Charlotte

Johnson C Smith University

For Physics

#1212 in United States #1289 in North America

45% Acceptance

6,353 Enrollment

1090 Avg SAT

1867 Founded

29

Winston-Salem

For Physics

#1255 in United States #1332 in North America

77% Acceptance

464 Enrollment

1155 Avg SAT

1772 Founded

30

Mount Olive

University of Mount Olive

For Physics

#1323 in United States #1402 in North America

76% Acceptance

1,944 Enrollment

1165 Avg SAT

1951 Founded

31

Swannanoa

Warren Wilson College

For Physics

#1345 in United States #1425 in North America

71% Acceptance

1,765 Enrollment

1033 Avg SAT

1894 Founded