2023 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California
21
Ranked Colleges
8,381
Degrees Awarded
$7,500
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Physical Sciences is the 19th most popular major in the country with 50,306 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $39,880 and had an average of $22,620 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 8,381 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,416 and $18,590 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in physical sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physical sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. 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 Physical Sciences Schools in California 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 243 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $1,233 for California Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at Stanford University
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 560 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,450 for California Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Berkeley.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at UC Berkeley
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 143 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Caltech also took the #8 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $-539 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Caltech Physical Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 371 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #5 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Los Angeles
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #5 spot on the list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 598 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $9,823 for California Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - San Diego Physical Sciences Report
With a ranking of #6, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 400 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $10,568 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of California - Santa Barbara Physical Sciences Report
With a ranking of #7, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 367 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $6,540 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at UC Irvine
University of California - Davis came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 270 students in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,006 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Davis.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Davis Physical Sciences Report
California State University - Los Angeles came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 63 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,887 for California Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State LA.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at Cal State LA
California State University - Fullerton ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,590 for California Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State University - Fullerton
California State University - Long Beach came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 120 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for California Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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.
Full CSULB Physical Sciences Report
San Diego State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 167 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,169 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SDSU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, 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 undergraduate students.
Read more about Physical Sciences at San Diego State University
With a ranking of #13, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 225 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,810 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Riverside
With a ranking of #14, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 343 students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $11,038 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad 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%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at UC Santa Cruz
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 131 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $10,349 for California Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, 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 Cal Poly Pomona
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 80 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $8,163 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Sacramento Physical Sciences Report
California State University - San Bernardino ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 61 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,985 for California Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 full report on Physical Sciences at California State University - San Bernardino
California State University - Northridge ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 83 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge Physical Sciences Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school awarded 120 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for california physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Physical Sciences Report
With a ranking of #20, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 92 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Merced did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Merced is $10,363 for California Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - Merced
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