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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $48-$75k)

141 Ranked Colleges
1,801 Degrees Awarded
$43,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,801 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 141 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $48-$75k)

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 31 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719.

Full MIT Physics Report

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 141 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 37 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Harvard University

#3

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 #3 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 57 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011.

Read full report on Physics at Stanford

#4

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Northwestern has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Northwestern

#5

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UChicago has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UChicago Physics Report

#6

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#14 in overall quality

Princeton University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Princeton University is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 15 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Princeton University

#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Columbia has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia Physics Report

#8

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#11 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Caltech is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Caltech Physics Report

#9

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire
#8 in overall quality

Dartmouth College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Dartmouth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth are $58,120, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Dartmouth Physics Report

#10

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Johns Hopkins has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425.

Full Johns Hopkins Physics Report

#11

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

Cornell University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Ithaca, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Cornell University

#12

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Pennsylvania is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 17 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UPenn has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at University of Pennsylvania

#13

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Florida came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UF

#14

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 39 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Physics Report

#15

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 8 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Vanderbilt University

#24 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UW - Madison

With a ranking of #17, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. UT Austin is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 27 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UT Austin has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at UT Austin

#18

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

With a ranking of #18, Wake Forest University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wake Forest University are $39,216.

Read full report on Physics at Wake Forest University

#19

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Brown University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363.

Full Brown University Physics Report

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Missouri University of Science and Technology ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is located in Rolla, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri University of Science and Technology are $30,943.

Read more about Physics at Missouri University of Science and Technology

#22

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

University of California - Berkeley landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 took the #20 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UC Berkeley

#23

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wyoming is a fairly large school located in Laramie, Wyoming that handed out 4 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW are $16,615, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UW

#24

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 17 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Physics Report

#25

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Purdue

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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