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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

18 Ranked Colleges
303 Degrees Awarded
$32,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 the Far Western US region, there were 3,784 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,070 and $20,138 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 303 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,342 and $136,270 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 18 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.

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

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 18 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Stanford University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 57 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read more about Physics at Stanford University

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region 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 located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Caltech, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Caltech

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 45 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Berkeley Physics Report

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Irvine Physics Report

University of California - San Diego ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 22 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631.

Full UCSD Physics Report

#11 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCR has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UCR

#8

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 22 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Read full report on Physics at UCLA

University of California - Davis landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 13 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UC Davis

#10

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at UCSB

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Merced is a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Merced Physics Report

#12

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Washington State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wazzu is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wazzu has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington State University are $27,561, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Wazzu Physics Report

#15 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UNLV also took the #15 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at UNLV

#14

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read full report on Physics at UC Santa Cruz

#15

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#16 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, this fairly large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UH Manoa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of Hawaii at Manoa

#16

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

Portland State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Portland State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Portland State University are $23,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Portland State University

#17

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#10 in overall quality

University of Oregon ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Oregon is a large public school situated in Eugene, Oregon. It awarded 20 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991.

Read more about Physics at UO

#18

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#13 in overall quality

Oregon State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oregon State is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Oregon State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oregon State University are $28,121, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Oregon State University

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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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