In some sciences, such as biology, a PhD is close to essential to work in the field and support a family. It is not necessary, but PhD recommended if you want to continue in Physics. You then pick graduate schools based on your concentration and not necessarily the overall department. For example U Of Rochester is highly rated in physics of Optics. You can go to grad schools like Rochester by doing very well at many of the undergraduate schools already listed here
The gainful route for employment for those with a love of science is the application of that science through engineering. At my STEM college we were told to aim for PhDs and graduate school if we wanted to be employed as scientists. This applied to Physics, Chemistry and particularly Biology. The most directly related engineering applications are Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Civil, and Biomedical Engineering. There are probably more employable options with a BS in Mathematics than there are for a BS in a pure science. There is also an Engineering Physics major.
Many years ago I was an engineering student studying in the physics stacks of the college library. Professor Mayer, a German refugee from WWII, came wondering through the stacks and noticed I was studying physics. “Herr Mayer” fingered some books as as he explained what titles I should be reading to develop a fuller understanding of the subject. We need more teachers and researchers like “Herr Mayer.” If you want that PhD, don’t let me talk you out of it! I learned later that he was the man to hear for a lecture on the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
After your first year of studies, you will have a better feel for your options. It helps at that point to have a wide selection to chose from.
Vanderbuilt, USC, Case Western, WPI, Ohio State and WVU all offer a full line of science and engineering majors. Union college comes very close to a full selection as the only engineering major missing is Chemical Engineering. You might want to find out how flexible they all are? Can you change majors after your first year?
The “sports culture” at WPI is one of participation. You can go to football games, but they are not Ohio State or WVU football games. WPI plays MIT and RPI and it is not the same experience! Our Crew races and Wrestling matches are fun to watch. Seventy to eighty percent of the students participate in some form of athletics.
See: https://www.wpi.edu/student-experience/getting-involved. Activities provide balance to your day.