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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics in the Far Western US Region

16 Ranked Colleges
303 Degrees Awarded
$32,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Doctorate in the Far Western US Region” 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.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 3,784 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,070 and $20,138 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 303 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,342 and $136,270 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region” ranking looked at 16 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.

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 for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region.

Top 18 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics in the Far Western US Region

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - San Diego Physics Report

#15 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNLV did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at UNLV

#2

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #2 spot on the list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Santa Barbara

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UC Davis

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 22 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at University of California - Los Angeles

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294.

Read full report on Physics at UW Seattle

#6

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

Portland State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Portland State University is a public institution located in Portland, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Portland State University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Portland State University are $23,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Portland State University

#6

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#10 in overall quality

University of Oregon came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Eugene, Oregon, this large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UO also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oregon are $29,991, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at University of Oregon

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UC Irvine

#8

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#13 in overall quality

Oregon State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Oregon State is located in Corvallis, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physics students list, Oregon State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oregon State University are $28,121.

Full Oregon State University Physics Report

University of California - Berkeley landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 45 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Full University of California - Berkeley Physics Report

#10

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#15 in overall quality

Washington State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Pullman, Washington 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.

Wazzu not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wazzu are $27,561, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Washington State University

#11

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region list. University of California - Riverside is located in Riverside, California 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 UCR, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686.

Full UCR Physics Report

#12

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #12 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Santa Cruz

#13

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#16 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #13. University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Manoa, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Hawaii at Manoa are $34,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UH Manoa

#14 in overall quality

University of California - Merced landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Merced are $43,854.

Read full report on Physics at UC Merced

#15

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Stanford University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 57 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford University Physics Report

#16

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Caltech is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 11 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physics students list, Caltech has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” 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

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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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