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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

18 Ranked Colleges
430 Degrees Awarded
$16,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor's in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Physics is the 67th most popular major in the country with 14,123 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, physics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $42,475 and had an average of $22,421 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 549 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,900 and $27,000 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 430 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in physics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the physics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 60 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UPenn is $3,181 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Physics at UPenn

#2

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carnegie Mellon University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 40 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Carnegie Mellon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Carnegie Mellon is $12,542 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Carnegie Mellon

#3

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania that handed out 7 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

SRU also made our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for SRU is $14,088 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Physics Report

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is $20,075 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full Pitt Physics Report

#5

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot on the list. WCUPA is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 bachelors’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, WCUPA has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $16,531 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low 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 more about Physics at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

#6

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
#9 in overall quality

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s physics students in 2019-2020.

East Stroudsburg University also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $16,975 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Read full report on Physics at East Stroudsburg University

#7

Allegheny College

Meadville, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

Allegheny College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Allegheny is a private not-for-profit institution located in Meadville, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Allegheny also took the #8 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Allegheny is $16,221 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The 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. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at Allegheny College

#8

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
#13 in overall quality

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bloomsburg, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $15,638 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Read full report on Physics at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

#9

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
#10 in overall quality

Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Millersville, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Millersville has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $16,878 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Millersville.

Read more about Physics at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

#10

Lock Haven University

Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physics students in 2019-2020.

LHU also made our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend LHU is $16,690 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physics at Lock Haven University

#11

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, Pennsylvania
#15 in overall quality

Clarion University of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Clarion, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Clarion University has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $16,235 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Clarion University.

Full Clarion University of Pennsylvania Physics Report

#12

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania
#17 in overall quality

California University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Cal U is a medium-sized public school situated in California, Pennsylvania. It awarded 5 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal U has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal U is $14,841 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physics at Cal U

#13

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physics degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Temple has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Temple University is $18,315 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Temple University Physics Report

#14

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #14, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kutztown University is a medium-sized school located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania that handed out 5 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Kutztown University also made our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is $17,384 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physics at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

#16 in overall quality

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Indiana, Pennsylvania that handed out 7 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

IUP also made our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is $18,177 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physics at IUP

#16

Lebanon Valley College

Annville, Pennsylvania
#6 in overall quality

Lebanon Valley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Lebanon Valley College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Annville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 4 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

LVC also made our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $22,993 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lebanon Valley College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full LVC Physics Report

#17

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

Drexel University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Drexel University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 16 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Drexel also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $25,234 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Drexel University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Drexel University

#18

Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Wilkes University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s physics degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Wilkes did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wilkes is $21,491 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physics at Wilkes University

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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