Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

18 Ranked Colleges
430 Degrees Awarded
$17,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor's in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physics programs and 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 $30-$48k” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in Pennsylvania

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. UPenn is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 60 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $4,833 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UPenn.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read more about Physics at UPenn

#2

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carnegie Mellon University landed the #2 spot on the list. Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 40 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Carnegie Mellon also made our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon University is $13,782 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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.

Full Carnegie Mellon University Physics Report

#3

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot on the list. SRU is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, SRU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $15,470 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Physics Report

#4

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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, this fairly large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, WCUPA has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $17,966 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physics at WCUPA

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Pitt is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 bachelors’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Pitt also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pitt is $21,011 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Physics at Pitt

#6

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physics degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, East Stroudsburg University has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $17,581 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend East Stroudsburg University.

Read more about Physics at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

#7

Allegheny College

Meadville, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

Allegheny College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Allegheny, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $16,523 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Allegheny.

The low student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Physics at Allegheny College

#8

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
#13 in overall quality

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Bloomsburg also made our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Bloomsburg is $16,232 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physics at Bloomsburg

#9

Lock Haven University

Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lock Haven University is a small school located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania that handed out 7 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

LHU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $17,281 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend LHU.

Full LHU Physics Report

#10

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania
#17 in overall quality

California University of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in California, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal U also made our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $14,428 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California University of Pennsylvania.

Full California University of Pennsylvania Physics Report

#11

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, Pennsylvania
#15 in overall quality

Clarion University of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Clarion University is a public institution located in Clarion, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clarion University, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Clarion University is $17,224 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physics at Clarion University

#12

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
#10 in overall quality

Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Millersville 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Millersville, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millersville is $19,065 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Millersville Physics Report

#13

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Temple is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 14 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Temple University is $18,879 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Physics at Temple University

#16 in overall quality

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is a public institution located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IUP also made our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $19,197 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend IUP.

Full Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus Physics Report

#15

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, Pennsylvania

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 5 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Kutztown University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is $19,098 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Physics Report

#16

Lebanon Valley College

Annville, Pennsylvania
#6 in overall quality

Lebanon Valley College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. LVC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Annville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 4 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

LVC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $22,367 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend LVC.

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%.

Read more about Physics at Lebanon Valley College

#17

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

Drexel University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Drexel University is $27,057 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Drexel

#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 $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wilkes, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $20,640 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wilkes University.

Read more about Physics at Wilkes

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.

Credits

Featured Physical Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You