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2023 Best Value Colleges for Engineering & Applied Physics (Income Over $110k)

49 Ranked Colleges
994 Degrees Awarded
$25,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Engineering & Applied Physics is the 448th most popular major in the country with 994 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k” ranking looked at 49 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in engineering and applied physics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent engineering and applied physics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the engineering and applied physics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Engineering & Applied Physics Schools

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The applied physics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

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Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Engineering & Applied Physics (Income Over $110k)

1

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Platteville landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Platteville is a public institution located in Platteville, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Platteville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Platteville is $14,565 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Platteville Engineering & Applied Physics Report

2
Murray State crest
Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Murray State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Murray State is a medium-sized public school situated in Murray, Kentucky. It awarded 29 ’s applied physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Murray State is $11,736 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Engineering & Applied Physics at Murray State University

3

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 3 ’s applied physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend ASU - Tempe is $13,107 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at Arizona State University - Tempe

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #4 for the Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s applied physics degrees to qualified students.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $14,878 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at U-M

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied physics degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also made our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $16,845 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Ohio State.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering & Applied Physics at Ohio State University - Main Campus

6

University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied physics degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $15,240 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UCSD.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering & Applied Physics at UCSD

7

New Mexico State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NMSU Main Campus is $10,428 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

8
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified ’s applied physics students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $13,449 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at Oakland

9

University of California - Berkeley came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 18 degrees to qualified ’s applied physics students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” list. It costs about $16,032 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UC Berkeley.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Berkeley Engineering & Applied Physics Report

10

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 74 ’s applied physics degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $14,321 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

11
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 1 ’s applied physics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our applied physics students whose families make more than $110k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $22,006 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Engineering & Applied Physics at University of Virginia - Main Campus

12

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #12. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,234 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UW - Madison.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

13
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona ranked #13 on this year’s Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,358 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Arizona.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at University of Arizona

14
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. Colorado School of Mines is a medium-sized public school situated in Golden, Colorado. It awarded 59 ’s applied physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Mines did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” list. It costs about $27,114 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Mines.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Mines Engineering & Applied Physics Report

15

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a large public school situated in Norman, Oklahoma. It awarded 5 ’s applied physics degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Oklahoma also made our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oklahoma is $21,122 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at University of Oklahoma

16
ATU crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, Arkansas

Arkansas Tech University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. ATU is a public institution located in Russellville, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend ATU is $11,721 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at Arkansas Tech University

17

University of Maine did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #17. University of Maine is located in Orono, Maine and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s applied physics degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UMaine is $16,033 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Maine Engineering & Applied Physics Report

18
University of Tulsa crest
University of Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #18, University of Tulsa did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. This small school is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and it awarded 4 ’s applied physics degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Tulsa also took the #24 spot in our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Tulsa is $24,232 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Tulsa Engineering & Applied Physics Report

19
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #19 on this year’s Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied physics degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full KU Engineering & Applied Physics Report

20

University of Nevada - Reno did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. UNR is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Nevada - Reno is $14,930 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at UNR

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Colorado Boulder did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. CU - Boulder is a large school located in Boulder, Colorado that handed out 27 ’s applied physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CU - Boulder is $20,967 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering & Applied Physics at University of Colorado Boulder

22

University of Central Oklahoma ranked #22 on this year’s Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Edmond, Oklahoma, this fairly large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s applied physics students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,339 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UCO.

Read more about Engineering & Applied Physics at University of Central Oklahoma

23
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, Texas

With a ranking of #23, Rice University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Houston, Texas, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s applied physics students in 2020-2021.

Rice also took the #5 spot in our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,076 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Rice.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Rice Engineering & Applied Physics Report

24

With a ranking of #24, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Columbia is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 41 ’s applied physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools” list. It costs about $22,823 for Applied Physics students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Columbia.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Engineering & Applied Physics at Columbia

25

Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Applied Physics Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #25. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 4 ’s applied physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Illinois Institute of Technology is $23,772 for applied physics students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois Institute of Technology Engineering & Applied Physics Report

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