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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that 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 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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree in physics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physics programs and cost less that 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physics Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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 Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 $30-$48k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Stanford University

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Riverside. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 30 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 $30-$48k list, UCR has also earned the #10 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 University of California - Riverside are $28,686.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Riverside

#20 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at California State University - Los Angeles

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at UC Berkeley

#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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW Seattle Physics Report

#6

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Caltech is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 6 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 $30-$48k list, Caltech has also earned the #2 rank 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at California Institute of Technology

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 11 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 $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at California State University - Fullerton

#8

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 19 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of California - Los Angeles

#12 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSULB has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at CSULB

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 18 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 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 UC Irvine are $28,456.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Irvine

#11

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 21 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #5 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 Barbara are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCSB Physics Report

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#14 in overall quality

San Diego State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 San Diego State University are $18,658.

Full SDSU Physics Report

#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 $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 16 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also took 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.

Full UC Davis Physics Report

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Fresno landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Physics at Fresno State

University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

UNLV also took the #0 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 UNLV are $21,962.

Read more about Physics at UNLV

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Read more about Physics at UCSD

#17 in overall quality

University of California - Merced landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

UC Merced did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Merced

#18

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#13 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 8 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 $30-$48k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #13 rank 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Santa Cruz

#19

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. UO is a public institution located in Eugene, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UO also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oregon are $29,991, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at University of Oregon

#20

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#19 in overall quality

San Francisco State University 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 $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

SFSU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at SFSU

University of Nevada - Reno came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNR is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Reno are $21,971, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNR Physics Report

#22

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon

With a ranking of #22, Portland State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Portland, Oregon, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Portland State University 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 Portland State University are $23,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Portland State University

#23

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#18 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UH Manoa is a fairly large public school situated in Honolulu, Hawaii. It awarded 7 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Manoa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at University of Hawaii at Manoa

#24

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

Oregon 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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Oregon State is located in Corvallis, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oregon State are $28,121, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about 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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