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

17 Ranked Colleges
251 Degrees Awarded
$29,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 California, there were 3,131 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,486 and $19,317 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 251 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 17 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.

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 Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 17 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $48-$75k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 23 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford Physics Report

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Caltech is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 6 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649.

Read full report on Physics at California Institute of Technology

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Riverside. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California 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.

UCR also took the #8 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686.

Read full report on Physics at University of California - Riverside

#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 California For Those Making $48-$75k. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 29 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. 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 University of California - Berkeley

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. University of California - Los Angeles 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.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Physics Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. 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.

Full Cal State LA Physics Report

#12 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 11 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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 Cal State Fullerton

#8

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UCSB also took the #5 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Physics Report

#10 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 19 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Long Beach Physics Report

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700.

Full UC Davis Physics Report

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 18 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Irvine

California State University - Fresno came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 3 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Fresno State has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Fresno State

#13

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at San Diego State University

#13 in overall quality

University of California - Merced came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UC Merced is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 9 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of California - Merced

#9 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 6 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCSD has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UCSD

#16

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Santa Cruz

#17

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

SFSU also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SFSU Physics Report

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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