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2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

49 Ranked Colleges
5,569 Degrees Awarded
$7,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 52,879 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $38,122 and had an average of $22,339 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 11,783 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,974 and $20,331 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 5,569 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,083 and $22,209 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 49 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physical sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physical sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. 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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. Caltech is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 50 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $5,456 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at California Institute of Technology

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 67 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #2 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $-1,387 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stanford. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 more about Physical Sciences at Stanford

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 459 students in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $7,850 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW Seattle.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 377 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $8,392 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Berkeley Physical Sciences Report

#19 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 98 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $4,291 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Cal State Fullerton

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 255 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $9,558 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

The low student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Irvine

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $1,379 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Cal State LA

#8

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 188 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $8,553 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, 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 96%.

Full UCLA Physical Sciences Report

#9

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#11 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 140 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $8,870 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SDSU.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full San Diego State University Physical Sciences Report

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#13 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 105 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCR has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $8,366 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UCR

#11

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#4 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 330 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $10,316 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

The low student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full UCSB Physical Sciences Report

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 97 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $6,364 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physical Sciences at CSULB

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $3,423 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Physical Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 148 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $9,842 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - Davis

#9 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 366 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also made our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $9,280 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UCSD

#23 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 74 students in 2019-2020.

Sac State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $6,819 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Sacramento

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $2,455 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at CSUDH

#18

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 102 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,077 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUSB.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at CSUSB

#19

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #19, Washington State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 141 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,334 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wazzu.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Wazzu

#18 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUSM has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,517 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State University - San Marcos

#21

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington

Eastern Washington University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. EWU is a public institution located in Cheney, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 30 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for EWU is $8,473 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Eastern Washington University

With a ranking of #22, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 55 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $3,264 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Fresno

#16 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 122 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $8,596 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 87%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 62 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Nevada - Las Vegas is $9,378 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#25

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 206 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $10,872 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 85%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz

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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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to NASA.

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