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

171 Ranked Colleges
2,093 Degrees Awarded
$40,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Master's For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,093 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 171 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physics programs that also have a lower cost than 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

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 Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

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

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

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. MIT is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at MIT

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 24 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Harvard has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Harvard

#3

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 171 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #3 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 10 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Northwestern has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Northwestern

#4

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k. Princeton University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Princeton, New Jersey. It awarded 29 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Princeton

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 171 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #5 spot on the list. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Columbia has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Full Columbia Physics Report

#6

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

University of Chicago ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Chicago Physics Report

#7

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#6 in overall quality

Stanford University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k 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 master’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Stanford has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” 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.

Full Stanford University Physics Report

#8

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#14 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Caltech Physics Report

#9

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s 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 24 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Johns Hopkins has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Johns Hopkins Physics Report

#10

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cornell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 30 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Cornell University

#11

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 18 masters’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 Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#12

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#12 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 14 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760.

Full University of Pennsylvania Physics Report

#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at UW - Madison

#14

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#15 in overall quality

Brown University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Brown is a private not-for-profit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 32 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Brown has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Brown University Physics Report

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

#16

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #16, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Vanderbilt University

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 20 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294.

Read more about Physics at UW Seattle

#18

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
Top 25% in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Riverside Physics Report

#19

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - 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.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Berkeley

#20

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

With a ranking of #20, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 13 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794.

Read more about Physics at Purdue

#21

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 5 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at University of Florida

#22

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Laramie, Wyoming, this fairly large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students 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

#23

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#22 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCLA Physics Report

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 5 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Cal State LA

#25

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 8 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800.

Read more about Physics at William & Mary

Rest of the Best 26 in Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

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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