What are the top undergraduate physics colleges in the US and Canada?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the top undergraduate physics colleges in the US and Canada, with a focus on public universities. Participants explore the criteria for determining "top" schools and the relevance of undergraduate rankings compared to graduate school rankings.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the meaning of "top," suggesting it may refer to league tables or other criteria.
  • One participant provides a list of top physics schools based on graduate school rankings, arguing that these rankings reflect the community's regard for the institution.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the importance of undergraduate rankings, suggesting that graduate school admissions are more influenced by research experience and GPA than by undergraduate institution prestige.
  • There is a suggestion that the original poster (OP) is likely referring to schools in the US, based on the context of the discussion.
  • One participant seeks input from others about the significance of undergraduate education in physics, implying that it may not be as critical as graduate education.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the importance of undergraduate rankings versus graduate rankings, and multiple competing views regarding the significance of undergraduate education in physics are present.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity on what constitutes "top" schools, as well as differing opinions on the relevance of undergraduate education in the context of pursuing graduate studies in physics.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering undergraduate physics programs, educators in physics, and individuals interested in the academic landscape of physics education in North America.

Sidvlpr
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what are the top public universities for undergraduate physics.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What do you mean by "top"? Top in the league tables? If you believe in league tables, did you try searching for them?
 
Sidvlpr said:
what are the top public universities for undergraduate physics.
In which nation?
 
Astronuc said:
In which nation?

I'm pretty sure he's assuming the US.
 
Well there are very few undergraduate rankings, but I have always thought that grad school rankings are a reasonable proxy given that they indicate the community's regard for the school and research activity.

From US News and World Report ranking of top physics schools (private schools excluded)

1. Berkeley
2. Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
3. UC Santa Barbara
4. Michigan - Anne Arbor
6. UC San Diego = Maryland - College Park = Texas - Austin
9. Wisconsin - Madison
10. UCLA = Colorado - Boulder = Washington
11. Ohio State = Penn State = Stony Brookhttp://grad-schools.usnews.rankings...-schools/top-science-schools/physics-rankings
 
Why would you care for an undergraduate ranking in Physics?

Don't you think graduate school matters more than undergraduate in physics? If your research is good enough and GPA, PGRE, more than likely you will get into most competitive schools (my assumption from what I have been reading recently).

But I'd like to hear others who know a few things here, does undergrad. even matter (physics)? (Of course, I and assuming the OP aren't going to any hole in the wall schools that are sketchy and in the top 50)
 
@gsmith Thankyou
Yea US And Canada
 

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