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

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

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 3,823 people earned their degree in general physical sciences, making the major the 144th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $26,561 and had an average of $12,761 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered a degree in general physical sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general physical sciences programs and 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 general physical sciences program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank General Physical Sciences Schools

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More Physical Science Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

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

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

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 24 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $4,777 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Physical Sciences at UChicago

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middlesex County College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Middlesex County College is a public institution located in Edison, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 202 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Middlesex County College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $9,877 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Middlesex County College.

Read more about General Physical Sciences at Middlesex County College

3
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Emory University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical science degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

Emory did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Emory University is $8,976 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 General Physical Sciences at Emory

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend New York City College of Technology. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Brooklyn, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 70 degrees to qualified ’s physical science students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our physical science students whose families make $30-$48k list, City Tech has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend New York City College of Technology is $4,588 for physical science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full City Tech General Physical Sciences Report

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

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, LaGuardia Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Long Island City, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 243 degrees to qualified ’s physical science students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our physical science students whose families make $30-$48k list, LaGuardia has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend LaGuardia Community College is $7,587 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full LaGuardia General Physical Sciences Report

6
Jackson College crest
Jackson College
Jackson, Michigan

Jackson College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Jackson College is a small public school situated in Jackson, Michigan. It awarded 25 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

Jackson College also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Jackson College is $10,719 for physical science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read full report on General Physical Sciences at Jackson College

7

Borough of Manhattan Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 131 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our physical science students whose families make $30-$48k list, BMCC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Borough of Manhattan Community College is $6,148 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Physical Sciences at BMCC

8
Medgar crest
Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, New York

Medgar Evers College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Medgar Evers College is a small public school situated in Brooklyn, New York. It awarded 225 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our physical science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Medgar has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Medgar Evers College is $7,452 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Physical Sciences at Medgar Evers College

9

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 1 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

Stan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $4,903 for physical science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, 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.

Read full report on General Physical Sciences at California State University - Stanislaus

10

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Arizona State University - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 58 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Tempe is $10,628 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about General Physical Sciences at ASU - Tempe

11

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UMCP is a large public school situated in College Park, Maryland. It awarded 1 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

UMCP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $11,567 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Maryland - College Park.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, 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%.

Read full report on General Physical Sciences at University of Maryland - College Park

12

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 14 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $12,049 for physical science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 UC Santa Cruz General Physical Sciences Report

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 Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in South Prince George, Virginia, this small public school awarded 157 degrees to qualified ’s physical science students in 2020-2021.

RBC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Richard Bland College of William and Mary is $11,314 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Physical Sciences at RBC

14
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wazzu is a large school located in Pullman, Washington that handed out 5 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

Wazzu also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,719 for Physical Science 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 full report on General Physical Sciences 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 ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, and it awarded 28 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on General Physical Sciences at University of New Mexico - Taos Campus

16

With a ranking of #16, University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Gallup, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical science degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

UNM Gallup also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus is $7,555 for physical science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Physical Sciences 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 Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 2 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

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

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Michigan State General Physical Sciences 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 Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Statesboro, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical science degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

GaSou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for GaSou is $13,653 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Physical Sciences at Georgia Southern University

19

With a ranking of #19, University of New Mexico - Valencia County Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Lunas, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical science degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

UNM Valencia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNM Valencia is $8,247 for physical science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Physical Sciences at UNM Valencia

20

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pitt is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s physical science degrees to qualified students.

Pitt also made our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Pitt is $17,691 for physical science 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 93%.

Read full report on General Physical Sciences 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 Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 2 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our physical science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $12,298 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Physical Sciences at Humboldt State University

22

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

Wright State University - Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Wright State University - Main Campus is $13,747 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Physical Sciences at Wright State University - Main Campus

23

Rochester Institute of Technology came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. RIT is located in Rochester, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s physical science degrees to qualified students.

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

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 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Physical Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology

24
WKU crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Western Kentucky University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Western Kentucky University is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Kentucky that handed out 1 ’s physical science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our physical science students whose families make $30-$48k list, WKU has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Kentucky University is $16,211 for Physical Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Physical Sciences at Western Kentucky University

25

University of New Mexico - Los Alamos Campus landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Science 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 science 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 General Physical Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of New Mexico - Los Alamos Campus is $12,872 for physical science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Physical Sciences at UNM Los Alamos

Notes and References

References

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