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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

20 Ranked Colleges
1,082 Degrees Awarded
$31,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,082 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,342 and $136,270 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 20 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.

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 physical sciences program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

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 Doctorate 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.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 111 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences 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 Stanford are $55,011.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Stanford

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Caltech has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Caltech

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 139 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 69 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Full UCLA Physical Sciences Report

#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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 85 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW Seattle Physical Sciences Report

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 75 students in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UC Irvine

#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#11 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at SDSU

#8

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 61 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences 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 California - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Full UCSB Physical Sciences Report

#5 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 50 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. 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 Physical Sciences at University of California - Davis

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#14 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 49 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCR Physical Sciences Report

#7 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 100 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - San Diego

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNLV has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. 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.

Full UNLV Physical Sciences Report

#10 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Nevada - Reno is a large public school situated in Reno, Nevada. It awarded 19 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNR are $21,971, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Nevada - Reno

#14

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#18 in overall quality

Washington State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 24 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wazzu has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences 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 Wazzu are $27,561.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Washington State University

#17 in overall quality

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. University of California - Merced is a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - Merced

#16

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

#17

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a fairly large public school situated in Honolulu, Hawaii. It awarded 23 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Manoa also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Hawaii at Manoa are $34,550.

Full UH Manoa Physical Sciences Report

#18

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon
#19 in overall quality

Portland State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Portland State University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences 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 Portland State University are $23,784.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Portland State University

#19

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Oregon did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UO is located in Eugene, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 50 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Oregon

#20

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#12 in overall quality

Oregon State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Oregon State is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 30 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Oregon State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. 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 Physical Sciences 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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to NASA.

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