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2022 Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid

16 Ranked Colleges
723 Degrees Awarded
$25,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Massachusetts, there were 723 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,000 and $21,896 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 16 colleges that offered a degree in physics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physics programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for massachusetts physics students with aid.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Physics in Massachusetts (With Aid)

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts

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 in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physics degrees to 118 students in 2019-2020.

MIT also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Massachusetts Institute of Technology is $16,636 for massachusetts physics students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Massachusetts Institute of Technology Physics Report

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 106 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts physics students with aid list, Harvard has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard University is $15,386 for massachusetts physics students with aid.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Harvard University

#3

Wellesley College

Wellesley, Massachusetts

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Wellesley College landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and it awarded 15 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wellesley, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wellesley College is $22,087 for massachusetts physics students with aid.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Physics at Wellesley

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Massachusetts - Lowell. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid. Located in Lowell, Massachusetts, this fairly large public school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UMass Lowell also made our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Lowell is $19,119 for Massachusetts Physics students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UMass Lowell Physics Report

#5

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bridgewater State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid. Bridgewater State University is a fairly large school located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts that handed out 8 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Bridgewater State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bridgewater State is $18,457 for massachusetts physics students with aid.

Read full report on Physics at Bridgewater State

University of Massachusetts - Boston ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. UMass Boston is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UMass Boston also made our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for University of Massachusetts - Boston is $18,340 for massachusetts physics students with aid.

Full University of Massachusetts - Boston Physics Report

#7

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this large public school handed out 91 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UMass Amherst also made our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Amherst is $22,501 for massachusetts physics students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at UMass Amherst

#8

Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts

Williams College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Williams is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It awarded 11 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts physics students with aid list, Williams has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Williams is $19,480 for Massachusetts Physics students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Physics at Williams

#9

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, Massachusetts

College of the Holy Cross came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. College of the Holy Cross is a small school located in Worcester, Massachusetts that handed out 13 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Holy Cross, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $37,292 for massachusetts physics students with aid per year to attend College of the Holy Cross.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at College of the Holy Cross

#10

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #10, Boston University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Boston U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boston U, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $30,259 for massachusetts physics students with aid per year to attend Boston U.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full Boston University Physics Report

#11

Wheaton College Massachusetts

Norton, Massachusetts

Wheaton College Massachusetts ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Wheaton College Massachusetts is located in Norton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Wheaton College Massachusetts also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $26,809 for Massachusetts Physics students with aid per year to attend Wheaton College Massachusetts.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Wheaton College Massachusetts Physics Report

#12

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

Smith College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Smith is a small school located in Northampton, Massachusetts that handed out 13 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Smith, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Smith is $28,305 for massachusetts physics students with aid.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Smith

#13

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Boston College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 27 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $35,899 for Massachusetts Physics students with aid per year to attend Boston College.

The low student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Boston College Physics Report

#14

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physics degrees to 47 students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern is $31,093 for Massachusetts Physics students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about Physics at Northeastern University

#15

Suffolk University

Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #15, Suffolk University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Suffolk is a medium-sized school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 3 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Suffolk, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Suffolk University is $30,701 for Massachusetts Physics students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at Suffolk

#16

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Brandeis University is a medium-sized school located in Waltham, Massachusetts that handed out 23 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Brandeis also made our “Best Physics Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Brandeis University is $31,165 for Massachusetts Physics students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Brandeis 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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