2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k
24
Ranked Colleges
2,214
Degrees Awarded
$12,700
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Natural Sciences is the 208th most popular major in the country with 2,214 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, natural sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $25,745 and had an average of $18,648 in loans still to pay off.
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. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality natural sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the natural sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
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)
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, Johns Hopkins University landed the #1 spot on the list. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.
Johns Hopkins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Johns Hopkins University is $2,084 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 Johns Hopkins 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, Boston College landed the #2 spot on the 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $10,212 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Boston College.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%.
Read more about 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 located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Tempe is $8,969 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 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
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. K -State is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
K -State also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $13,436 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend K -State.
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%. 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
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Colorado State is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
Colorado State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $11,924 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins.
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%. 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 more about Natural Sciences at Colorado State University - Fort Collins
University of Puerto Rico - Cayey landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cayey, is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 72 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UPR Cayey has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UPR Cayey is $4,992 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Natural Sciences at University of Puerto Rico - Cayey
With a ranking of #7, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
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.
Full University of Arizona Natural Sciences Report
American Public University System landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 32 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
American Military University also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $9,660 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend American Public University System.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at American Public University System
The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UTEP is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
UTEP also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for UTEP is $7,505 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full UTEP Natural Sciences Report
University of Wyoming came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW is a fairly large public school situated in Laramie, Wyoming. It awarded 6 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend 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%.
Full UW Natural Sciences Report
Northeastern State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
NSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern State University is $8,086 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%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Northeastern State University
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Commonwealth University is a large public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 14 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, VCU has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,507 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Commonwealth University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Virginia Commonwealth University Natural Sciences Report
University of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fairbanks, Alaska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UAF, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UAF is $6,880 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full University of Alaska Fairbanks Natural Sciences Report
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. California State University - Chico 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. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $11,754 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 California State University - Chico
Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri State is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 11 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Missouri State also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for 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
Dominican University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dominican University is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
Dominican U also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend 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 full report on Natural Sciences at Dominican U
With a ranking of #17, College of Saint Benedict did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. College of Saint Benedict is a small school located in Saint Joseph, Minnesota that handed out 14 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
CSB also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend CSB is $17,105 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
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. UNOMAHA is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 5 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UNOMAHA also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $10,578 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a small school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 24 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $13,939 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
Read full report on Natural Sciences at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Arkansas State University - Newport landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Arkansas State University - Newport is a small school located in Newport, Arkansas that handed out 4 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
ASUN also took the #24 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend ASUN is $7,991 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Arkansas State University - Newport
Temple University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large public school awarded 14 degrees to qualified ’s natural sciences students in 2020-2021.
Temple not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Temple University is $18,173 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Temple University
Oklahoma Baptist University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Shawnee, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
OBU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $19,074 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oklahoma Baptist University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Oklahoma Baptist University
Loyola Marymount University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Marymount, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $32,730 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Loyola Marymount University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Loyola Marymount
With a ranking of #24, Hofstra University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Hempstead, New York, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified ’s natural sciences students in 2020-2021.
Hofstra also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Hofstra is $30,346 for natural sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Hofstra
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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.
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