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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Physics (Income $0-$30k)

167 Ranked Colleges
1,782 Degrees Awarded
$41,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 13,287 people earned their degree in general physics, making the major the 57th most popular in the United States.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,782 general physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 167 colleges that offer a degree in general physics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general physics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general physics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank General Physics Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college 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. 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 General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree general physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Physics (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s general physics degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern University General Physics Report

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#14 in overall quality

Out of the 167 schools in the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s general physics degrees to qualified students.

Caltech also made our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649.

Full Caltech General Physics Report

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 17 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Chicago General Physics Report

#4

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 4 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford University General Physics Report

#5

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#12 in overall quality

Out of the 167 schools in the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 14 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree general physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UPenn has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760.

Full UPenn General Physics Report

#6

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Princeton University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Princeton University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Princeton, New Jersey. It awarded 29 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree general physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Princeton has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470.

Read more about General Physics at Princeton University

#7

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#8 in overall quality

Harvard University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s general physics degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Physics at Harvard

#8

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#5 in overall quality

Massachusetts Institute of Technology came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a fairly large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 4 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MIT are $56,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full MIT General Physics Report

#9

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425.

Read full report on General Physics at Johns Hopkins University

#10

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 11 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Full U-M General Physics Report

#11

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#15 in overall quality

Brown University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s general physics degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

Brown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Physics at Brown University

#12

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cornell University is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 30 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree general physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cornell has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042.

Read more about General Physics at Cornell

#13

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s general physics degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Physics at UF

#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 13 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on General Physics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#1 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 11 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York General Physics Report

#16

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s general physics degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill General Physics Report

#17

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #17, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s general physics degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Physics at Vanderbilt University

With a ranking of #18, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Edinburg, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s general physics degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley General Physics Report

#19

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s general physics students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885.

Read more about General Physics at University of Maryland - College Park

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 14 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Physics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#21

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. CCNY is a fairly large public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 7 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CCNY are $20,832, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CCNY General Physics Report

#22

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
Top 25% in overall quality

University of California - Riverside came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 30 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Physics at UCR

#23

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree general physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Read full report on General Physics at UC Berkeley

#24

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s general physics students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Physics at William & Mary

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 20 masters’s general physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Physics at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

Rest of the Best 26 in Best Value General Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

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

Footnotes

  • *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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