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2023 Best Value Colleges for Physical Science (Income $30-$48k)

25 Ranked Colleges
3,823 Degrees Awarded
$11,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Physical Science is the 179th most popular major in the country with 3,823 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered a degree in physical science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physical science 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 physical science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physical Science (Income $30-$48k)

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Physical Science Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $4,777 for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 Physical Science at UChicago

2
Middlesex County College crest
Middlesex County College
Edison, New Jersey

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middlesex County College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Edison, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 202 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Middlesex County College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $9,877 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Middlesex County College.

Read more about Physical Science at Middlesex County College

3
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Emory University landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 4 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Physical Science Schools” list. It costs about $8,976 for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Emory University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full Emory University Physical Science Report

4

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, New York City College of Technology landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Brooklyn, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 70 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

City Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Physical Science Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for City Tech is $4,588 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full City Tech Physical Science Report

5
LaGuardia crest
LaGuardia Community College
Long Island City, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend LaGuardia Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. LaGuardia is a fairly large public school situated in Long Island City, New York. It awarded 243 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LaGuardia, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,587 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend LaGuardia Community College.

Full LaGuardia Physical Science Report

6
Jackson College crest
Jackson College
Jackson, Michigan

Jackson College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Jackson College is a public institution located in Jackson, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Jackson College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,719 for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Jackson College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Jackson College Physical Science Report

7

Borough of Manhattan Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in New York, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 131 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

BMCC also made our “Best Physical Science Schools” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $6,148 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend BMCC.

Read more about Physical Science at Borough of Manhattan Community College

8
Medgar crest
Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, New York

Medgar Evers College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Medgar is a small public school situated in Brooklyn, New York. It awarded 225 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Medgar also took the #17 spot in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Medgar Evers College is $7,452 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physical Science at Medgar

9

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stan State is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Stan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Physical Science Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Physical Science at Stan State

10

With a ranking of #10, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. ASU - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 58 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Tempe is $10,628 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full ASU - Tempe Physical Science Report

11

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

UMCP also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Maryland - College Park is $11,567 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 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%.

Full UMCP Physical Science Report

12

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 14 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $12,049 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Science at University of California - Santa Cruz

13
RBC crest
Richard Bland College of William and Mary
South Prince George, Virginia

Richard Bland College of William and Mary landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. South Prince George, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 157 students in 2020-2021.

RBC also made our “Best Physical Science Schools” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for RBC is $11,314 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physical Science at Richard Bland College of William and Mary

14
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #14, Washington State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Washington State University is located in Pullman, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Wazzu also took the #15 spot in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,719 for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Washington State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Science at Washington State University

15
UNM Taos crest
University of New Mexico - Taos Campus
Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Taos Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. UNM Taos is a public institution located in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNM Taos not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Physical Science Schools” list. It costs about $11,293 for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNM Taos.

Full UNM Taos Physical Science Report

16

University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNM Gallup is a public institution located in Gallup, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNM Gallup has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,555 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus.

Read full report on Physical Science at University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus

17
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Michigan State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $15,170 for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Michigan State Physical Science Report

18
GaSou crest
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia

With a ranking of #18, Georgia Southern University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Georgia Southern University is a large school located in Statesboro, Georgia that handed out 7 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

GaSou also took the #13 spot in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgia Southern University is $13,653 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physical Science at GaSou

19

University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus is a small school located in Los Lunas, New Mexico that handed out 22 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UNM Valencia also took the #24 spot in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,247 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus.

Read full report on Physical Science at University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus

20

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

Pitt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Physical Science Schools” list. It costs about $17,691 for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus.

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 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Science at Pitt

21
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 2 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Physical Science Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $12,298 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Humboldt State University Physical Science Report

22

With a ranking of #22, Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wright State University - Main Campus, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wright State University - Main Campus is $13,747 for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Wright State University - Main Campus Physical Science Report

23

With a ranking of #23, Rochester Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester, New York, and it awarded 41 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

RIT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Physical Science Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend RIT is $28,857 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full RIT Physical Science Report

24
WKU crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Western Kentucky University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and it awarded 1 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WKU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Kentucky University is $16,211 for physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full WKU Physical Science Report

25

University of New Mexico - Los Alamos Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Los Alamos, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNM Los Alamos, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Physical Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $12,872 for Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of New Mexico - Los Alamos Campus.

Read full report on Physical Science at University of New Mexico - Los Alamos Campus

Notes and References

References

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