Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $75-$110k)

141 Ranked Colleges
1,801 Degrees Awarded
$41,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k

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 Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k” 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.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 141 colleges that offer 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.

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.

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 Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k” list to help you make the college decision.

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 Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $75-$110k)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Out of the 141 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 57 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $75-$110k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Stanford

#2

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. MIT is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 doctorate’s 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at MIT are $56,719, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full MIT Physics Report

#3

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 141 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Dartmouth College landed the #3 spot on the list. Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, New Hampshire and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $75-$110k list, Dartmouth has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth are $58,120, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Dartmouth

#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 $75-$110k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #9 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 Northwestern University are $56,567.

Read full report on Physics at Northwestern

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 141 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #4 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 Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read full report on Physics at Columbia

#6

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

University of Chicago came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of Chicago

#7

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Florida came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 16 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

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

Full UF Physics Report

#8

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 $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. This medium-sized school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $75-$110k list, Princeton has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Princeton

#9

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#11 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California Institute of Technology is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 11 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $75-$110k list, Caltech has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California Institute of Technology Physics Report

Missouri University of Science and Technology ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Rolla, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri University of Science and Technology are $30,943, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Missouri University of Science and Technology

#11

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Harvard University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Harvard is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Harvard also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654.

Full Harvard Physics Report

#12

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 39 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Physics Report

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 27 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 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 The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Physics Report

#14

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UPenn

#15

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#10 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Johns Hopkins University is located in Baltimore, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johns Hopkins, the school also landed the #10 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 Johns Hopkins are $59,425.

Read more about Physics at Johns Hopkins

#16

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 8 doctorate’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 Vanderbilt are $50,624.

Full Vanderbilt Physics Report

#17

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042.

Full Cornell University Physics Report

#18

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#18 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 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 University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Full University of Notre Dame Physics Report

#19

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, Wyoming and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 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 UW are $16,615.

Full University of Wyoming Physics Report

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school handed out 22 diplomas 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 Georgia Tech are $31,334.

Read more about Physics at Georgia Tech

#21

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UMN Twin Cities is also in the top of our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#22

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 21 doctorate’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 Florida State University are $26,707.

Read full report on Physics at Florida State University

#23

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657.

Full University of Central Florida Physics Report

With a ranking of #24, Brigham Young University - Provo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a private not-for-profit institution located in Provo, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at BYU are $7,510.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo Physics Report

University of California - Davis landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UC Davis

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.

Credits

Featured Physical Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You