2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Sciences (Income $0-$30k)
24
Ranked Colleges
2,214
Degrees Awarded
$12,700
Avg Net Price*
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 Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Natural Sciences is the 345th most popular major in the country with 2,214 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
This year’s “Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in natural sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent natural sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the natural sciences program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Natural Sciences (Income $0-$30k)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Johns Hopkins University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified ’s natural sciences students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Johns Hopkins has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Johns Hopkins University is $2,084 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Johns Hopkins University Natural Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Boston College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 4 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Boston College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Boston College is $10,212 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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 Natural Sciences at Boston College
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #3 spot on the list. ASU - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
ASU - Tempe not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $8,969 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Arizona State University - Tempe.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full ASU - Tempe Natural Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kansas State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 84 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
K -State also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $13,436 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Kansas State University Natural Sciences Report
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, and it awarded 27 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State is $11,924 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Colorado State
With a ranking of #6, University of Puerto Rico - Cayey did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UPR Cayey is a public institution located in Cayey, . The school has a small population, and it awarded 72 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UPR Cayey not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UPR Cayey is $4,992 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full UPR Cayey Natural Sciences Report
University of Arizona came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 4 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $8,987 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Natural Sciences at University of Arizona
American Public University System came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at American Military University, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $9,660 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend American Military University.
With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full American Military University Natural Sciences Report
With a ranking of #9, The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UTEP is a large school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 9 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UTEP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $7,505 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas at El Paso.
Full UTEP Natural Sciences Report
With a ranking of #10, University of Wyoming did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW is a public institution located in Laramie, Wyoming. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wyoming is $6,905 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at University of Wyoming
With a ranking of #11, Northeastern State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. NSU is a medium-sized public school situated in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It awarded 4 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
NSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $8,086 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NSU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at NSU
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Virginia Commonwealth University is a large school located in Richmond, Virginia that handed out 14 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
VCU also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend VCU is $14,507 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.
Full Virginia Commonwealth University Natural Sciences Report
University of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Fairbanks, Alaska, and it awarded 14 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UAF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $6,880 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Read full report on Natural Sciences at UAF
California State University - Chico ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chico State is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
Chico State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $11,754 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Chico.
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%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Chico State
Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.
Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $12,381 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Missouri State University - Springfield
With a ranking of #16, Dominican University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 28 diplomas to qualified ’s natural sciences students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Dominican U has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican University is $16,372 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Dominican University
College of Saint Benedict came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSB is located in Saint Joseph, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
CSB also took the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSB is $17,105 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Natural Sciences at CSB
University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,578 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNOMAHA.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at University of Nebraska at Omaha
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 24 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is $13,939 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Natural Sciences Report
Arkansas State University - Newport ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Newport, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
ASUN also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend ASUN is $7,991 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 full report on Natural Sciences at ASUN
Temple University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.
Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $18,173 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Temple.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Temple Natural Sciences Report
Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and it awarded 10 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
OBU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend OBU is $19,074 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read full report on Natural Sciences at OBU
Loyola Marymount University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Loyola Marymount is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
Loyola Marymount did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $32,730 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Loyola Marymount University.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 full report on Natural Sciences at Loyola Marymount University
Hofstra University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hofstra is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Hempstead, New York. It awarded 3 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Hofstra also took the #19 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $30,346 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hofstra University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 Hofstra University Natural Sciences Report
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Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Agsftw.
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