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

171 Ranked Colleges
2,093 Degrees Awarded
$39,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Master's For Those Making $75-$110k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 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 $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 171 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the physics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k

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

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

#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 $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 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MIT, the school also landed the #5 spot 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719.

Read full report on Physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 171 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 23 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Stanford

#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 $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #4 spot 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 full report on Physics at Northwestern University

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. 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 more about Physics at Columbia

#5

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Princeton University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. 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 also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Master’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

#6

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 17 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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 UChicago

#7

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. The City College of New York is located in New York, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The City College of New York are $20,832, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CCNY Physics Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #13 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at U-M

With a ranking of #9, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a large school located in Edinburg, Texas that handed out 12 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read more about Physics at UT Rio Grande Valley

#10

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#14 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 6 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649.

Read full report on Physics at California Institute of Technology

#11

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#9 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Johns Hopkins University 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.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list. 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

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 5 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 California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Physics Report

#13

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 5 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Full University of Florida Physics Report

#14

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#8 in overall quality

Harvard University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #8 spot 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 Harvard are $50,654.

Read full report on Physics at Harvard

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at California State University - Fullerton

#16

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of California - Riverside

#17

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 53 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Arizona Physics Report

#18

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

Cornell University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Ithaca, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 30 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Cornell also took the #11 spot 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 Cornell University are $30,042.

Read more about Physics at Cornell University

#19

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Laramie, Wyoming is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wyoming are $16,615, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at UW

With a ranking of #20, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 19 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at CSULB

#21

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Physics at Vanderbilt University

#22

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#20 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 12 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Notre Dame Physics Report

#23

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#12 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s 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 UPenn are $41,760.

Read full report on Physics at UPenn

#24

Hunter College

New York, New York

Hunter College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Hunter is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter are $20,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Hunter College

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia Tech are $31,334, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

Rest of the Best 26 in Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k

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

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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