<p>Can anyone put a top 5 list of universities that are good for physics? I was just wondering what the top rankings were, I just can't seem to find them anywhere. Any contributions would be welcome...</p>
<p>What do you mean "good for Physics?"</p>
<p>Rate of future PhDs in Physics? Number of pages published by Prof. in Physics journals? Amount of federally-supported dollars for Physics research? Smallest class sizes? Most majors as a percentage of the school?</p>
<p>Are you looking for Physics in the context of a broad-based liberal arts curriculum in a university? Or Physics at a dedicated tech school such as CalTech or MIT?</p>
<p>What size school are you looking for? What part of the country? Public or Private? Is need-based or merit-based aid a key factor in your selection?</p>
<p>Yes, I'm sorry, these are very important factors I left out. I'm talking about schools that are largely focused in Physics for undergrad, and that have a good reputation for their programs and research. I'm looking for any size school, and would like to know any that are in California or thereabouts, but would also like to know any that are around the US. It can be either public or private, and preferrably merit-based aid, although for private schools need-based aid would be a factor. I am interested in the UCs as well. The rate of future PhDs in Physics would be nice to see as well. As well as pages published in Physics Journals. Any other suggestions are welcome, I am just looking for any type of information regarding the schools and this major.</p>
<p>I don't think that undergrad physics rankings actually exist...</p>
<p>In the overall scheme of American higher education, Physics is not a terribly popular major, in part because it is a very difficult major and in part because bio related field are more trendy these days. So, if you are really looking for a school that is "largely focused on Physics", then you limit your options to the dedicated tech schools. Two of the very best are in California: Caltech and Harvey Mudd. In fact, these two schools produce more future PhDs. in Physics per undergrad than any other school in the country. Both are exceptionally small schools (under 1000 undergrads). Caltech offers an education that is more like a four year internship at a major research facility. Harvey Mudd specializes in science, math, and engineering in an elite undergrad-only setting that is part of a consortium of five undergrad-only colleges in Claremont, CA.</p>
<p>However, choosing a dedicated tech school requires a major and exclusive commitment to the study of science. The vast majority of 17 years olds would be better served to consider a more broad-based undergrad school so that, if Physics doesn't prove to be the passion, it is easy to shift gears. There is a place for dedicated tech schools, but choosing one should not be a decision made lightly. It is very common for students who comfortably excel in high school math and science to find college level work in these fields to be very different and/or uncomfortably challenging.</p>
<p>Just about any highly regarded college or university will offer a solid undergrad Physics program. It is a core department at any good school. All of the excellent all-purpose schools in California would fit this bill including three of the best in the country in their respective size ranges: Berkeley (large), Stanford (mid-size), and Pomona (small). All three of these are in the top-40 nationwide in production of future PhDs in Physics.</p>
<p>To name a few:</p>
<p>Caltech
Princeton
UChicago
Berkeley</p>
<p>UCSB for physics.</p>
<p>Caltech maybe Carnegie Mellon</p>
<p>Rice and Cornell</p>