Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

35 Best Universities in Virginia for Physics

We ranked the top 35 universities for Physics in Virginia based on strict academic metrics. To determine these leaders, we isolated 256.1K specialized research publications which collectively generated 8.3M citations. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Physics Virginia Clear All

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1

Blacksburg

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

For Physics

#45 in United States #50 in North America

55% Acceptance

31,035 Enrollment

1365 Avg SAT

1872 Founded

2

Charlottesville

University of Virginia

For Physics

#47 in United States #52 in North America

17% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1475 Avg SAT

1819 Founded

3

Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

For Physics

#123 in United States #146 in North America

93% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1140 Avg SAT

1838 Founded

4

Fairfax

George Mason University

For Physics

#126 in United States #149 in North America

87% Acceptance

6,353 Enrollment

1260 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

5

Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

For Physics

#152 in United States #179 in North America

90% Acceptance

4,202 Enrollment

1190 Avg SAT

1930 Founded

6

Williamsburg, VA

College of William and Mary

For Physics

#160 in United States #188 in North America

34% Acceptance

7,063 Enrollment

1465 Avg SAT

1693 Founded

7

Arlington, VA

Marymount University

For Physics

#194 in United States #222 in North America

93% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1425 Avg SAT

1950 Founded

8

Harrisonburg

James Madison University

For Physics

#336 in United States #379 in North America

72% Acceptance

7,500 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1908 Founded

9

Richmond, VA

University of Richmond

For Physics

#337 in United States #380 in North America

22% Acceptance

6,885 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1830 Founded

10

Hampton

Hampton University

For Physics

#342 in United States #385 in North America

62% Acceptance

3,728 Enrollment

940 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

11

Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

For Physics

#384 in United States #430 in North America

88% Acceptance

5,410 Enrollment

927 Avg SAT

1935 Founded

12

Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University

For Physics

#509 in United States #564 in North America

14% Acceptance

670 Enrollment

1485 Avg SAT

1749 Founded

13

Newport News

Christopher Newport University

For Physics

#536 in United States #591 in North America

86% Acceptance

896 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1961 Founded

14

Radford

Radford University

For Physics

#625 in United States #683 in North America

90% Acceptance

6,161 Enrollment

1050 Avg SAT

1910 Founded

15

Emory

Emory & Henry College

For Physics

#630 in United States #688 in North America

84% Acceptance

5,382 Enrollment

1137 Avg SAT

1836 Founded

16

Petersburg

Virginia State University

For Physics

#649 in United States #707 in North America

89% Acceptance

3,177 Enrollment

955 Avg SAT

1882 Founded

17

Fredericksburg

University of Mary Washington

For Physics

#694 in United States #755 in North America

80% Acceptance

3,660 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1908 Founded

18

Lexington, VA

Virginia Military Institute

For Physics

#719 in United States #781 in North America

71% Acceptance

4,202 Enrollment

1160 Avg SAT

1839 Founded

19

Farmville

Longwood University

For Physics

#772 in United States #837 in North America

90% Acceptance

7,500 Enrollment

1120 Avg SAT

1839 Founded

20

Fairfax

Stratford University

For Physics

#796 in United States #863 in North America

75% Acceptance

6,636 Enrollment

1540 Avg SAT

$23,243 Net Price

21

Lynchburg

Liberty University

For Physics

#842 in United States #909 in North America

99% Acceptance

52,961 Enrollment

1190 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

22

Hampden-Sydney

Hampden-Sydney College

For Physics

#874 in United States #941 in North America

41% Acceptance

946 Enrollment

1140 Avg SAT

1775 Founded

23

Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University

For Physics

#887 in United States #954 in North America

77% Acceptance

2,641 Enrollment

1108 Avg SAT

1875 Founded

24

Salem, VA

Roanoke College

For Physics

#898 in United States #965 in North America

83% Acceptance

6,885 Enrollment

1195 Avg SAT

1842 Founded

25

Lynchburg

University of Lynchburg

For Physics

#901 in United States #968 in North America

43% Acceptance

7,500 Enrollment

1105 Avg SAT

1903 Founded

26

Ashland, VA

Randolph-Macon College

For Physics

#960 in United States #1029 in North America

87% Acceptance

1,643 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1830 Founded

27

Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College

For Physics

#970 in United States #1039 in North America

92% Acceptance

6,885 Enrollment

1190 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

28

Sweet Briar

Sweet Briar College

For Physics

#996 in United States #1065 in North America

76% Acceptance

444 Enrollment

1205 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

29

Roanoke

Hollins University

For Physics

#1198 in United States #1275 in North America

68% Acceptance

665 Enrollment

1245 Avg SAT

1842 Founded

30

Lynchburg

Randolph College

For Physics

#1272 in United States #1349 in North America

94% Acceptance

694 Enrollment

1155 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

31

Arlington, VA

University of Management and Technology

For Physics

#1276 in United States #1353 in North America

100% Acceptance

7,500 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

$8,987 Net Price

32

Staunton

Mary Baldwin University

For Physics

#1284 in United States #1361 in North America

100% Acceptance

1,124 Enrollment

1190 Avg SAT

1842 Founded

33

Wise

University of Virginia’s College at Wise

For Physics

#1352 in United States #1432 in North America

29% Acceptance

2,142 Enrollment

1033 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

34

Harrisonburg

Eastern Mennonite University

For Physics

#1383 in United States #1463 in North America

100% Acceptance

791 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1917 Founded

35

Ferrum

For Physics

#1394 in United States #1475 in North America

89% Acceptance

1,765 Enrollment

890 Avg SAT

1913 Founded