2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k)
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 Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2019-2020, 14,123 people earned their degree in physics, making the major the 67th most popular in the United States. 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.
At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,801 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 141 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physics programs that also have a lower cost than 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 physics program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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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 Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 57 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.
Stanford also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.
Out of the 141 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. Caltech is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 11 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.
UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Out of the 141 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.
UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. MIT is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.
MIT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719.
With a ranking of #7, Harvard University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Harvard is a large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 37 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
Harvard did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #8, Princeton University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
Princeton also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470.
Johns Hopkins University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johns Hopkins, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.
With a ranking of #10, Dartmouth College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dartmouth is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Hanover, New Hampshire. It awarded 5 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dartmouth, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth College are $58,120, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of Florida landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 39 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
U-M also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Physics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Cornell University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Ithaca, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 25 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cornell has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Brown University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
UW - Madison also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. 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.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. UNC Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 17 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.
Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Maryland - College Park landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMCP is a public institution located in College Park, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UMCP also took the #21 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Vanderbilt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624.
Northeastern University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northeastern has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern University are $25,558, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 45 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’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 more about Physics at University of California - Berkeley
Missouri University of Science and Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Rolla, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri University of Science and Technology are $30,943, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Physics at Missouri University of Science and Technology
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, UMN Twin Cities also did well on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Physics at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 16 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.
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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
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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