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

24 Ranked Colleges
333 Degrees Awarded
$28,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Master’s in the Far Western US Region 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.

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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 333 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Physics Schools

The physics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. 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 Physics Schools for a Master’s 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 Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’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 Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Caltech

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 23 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Physics Master’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 full report on Physics at Stanford University

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Riverside landed the #3 spot on the list. 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.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UCR

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. 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 University of California - Berkeley Physics Report

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s 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 #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 20 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Physics Master’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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW Seattle Physics Report

#20 in overall quality

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 5 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at California State University - Los Angeles

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State Fullerton Physics Report

#8

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Los Angeles

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Physics Master’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 Irvine are $28,456.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Irvine

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 19 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #12 spot in our “Best Physics Master’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 California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Read more about Physics at California State University - Long Beach

#11

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSB Physics Report

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#14 in overall quality

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Physics Master’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 SDSU are $18,658.

Read full report on Physics at SDSU

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 16 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UC Davis

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Fresno State Physics Report

#11 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 6 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at University of California - San Diego

#17 in overall quality

University of California - Merced came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 9 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also took the #17 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at UC Merced

University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UNLV did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at UNLV

#18

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#13 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 8 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #13 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of California - Santa Cruz

#19

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#19 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at SFSU

#20

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Oregon is located in Eugene, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UO also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oregon are $29,991, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at University of Oregon

University of Nevada - Reno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Nevada - Reno is located in Reno, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UNR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNR are $21,971, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UNR

#22

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#18 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Manoa, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UH Manoa

#23

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon

Portland State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Portland, Oregon, this large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Portland State University, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. 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

#24

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

Oregon State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Corvallis, Oregon, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Oregon State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Physics Master’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 Oregon State are $28,121.

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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