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2022 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

26 Ranked Colleges
1,185 Degrees Awarded
$12,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region 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 in the Southwest Region 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 the Southwest region, there were 1,185 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $64,500 and $22,324 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physics programs, but they also 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Edinburg, Texas, and it awarded 22 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $3,473 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Full The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Physics Report

#2

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Arizona. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 158 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $11,466 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of Arizona Physics Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Texas. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UNT is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Texas is $9,082 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Physics at University of North Texas

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 39 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UTSA is $11,109 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physics at UTSA

#5

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech is $13,326 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Physics at Texas Tech

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school handed out 118 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $13,575 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas at Austin.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Physics Report

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stillwater, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

OSU also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $9,962 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend OSU.

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 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Arizona State University - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 73 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Tempe is $8,921 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physics at Arizona State University - Tempe

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas A&M University - College Station is located in College Station, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 65 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M University - College Station is $13,270 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Physics at Texas A&M College Station

#10

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

With a ranking of #10, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas State University is a large public school situated in San Marcos, Texas. It awarded 26 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Texas State is $12,292 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physics at Texas State

#11

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 43 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend UH is $9,925 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Physics at University of Houston

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Richardson, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $11,745 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Dallas.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.9% 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%.

Read more about Physics at The University of Texas at Dallas

New Mexico State University - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for NMSU Main Campus is $7,006 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physics at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UTEP is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UTEP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at El Paso is $7,427 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physics at The University of Texas at El Paso

#15

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oklahoma City Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It awarded 3 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for OCCC is $5,981 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physics at Oklahoma City Community College

#16

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. NAU is a large public school situated in Flagstaff, Arizona. It awarded 19 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, NAU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Arizona University is $9,799 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full NAU Physics Report

#17

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Sam Houston State University is a large public school situated in Huntsville, Texas. It awarded 10 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sam Houston State University is $11,634 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SHSU Physics Report

With a ranking of #18, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UT Arlington is located in Arlington, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UT Arlington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at Arlington is $12,974 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physics at UT Arlington

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a large school located in Norman, Oklahoma that handed out 25 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Oklahoma, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oklahoma is $17,285 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%.

Read full report on Physics at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

With a ranking of #20, Stephen F Austin State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Nacogdoches, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2019-2020.

SFASU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Stephen F Austin State University is $10,816 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physics at SFASU

#21

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Tarleton State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Stephenville, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Tarleton also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Tarleton is $17,132 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Tarleton Physics Report

#22

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

With a ranking of #22, University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 49 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UNM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $14,458 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of New Mexico - Main Campus.

Read full report on Physics at UNM

#23

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. TCU is located in Fort Worth, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

TCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $23,246 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend TCU.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Texas Christian University Physics Report

#24

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

With a ranking of #24, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 13 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Baylor, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $29,849 for southwest region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Baylor.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read full report on Physics at Baylor

#25

Texas Southern University

Houston, Texas

Texas Southern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. TSU is located in Houston, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TSU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $24,201 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend TSU.

Read more about Physics at TSU

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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