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2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

23 Ranked Colleges
865 Degrees Awarded
$26,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master's in California 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. 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 Master’s in California 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 California, there were 8,509 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,072 and $18,572 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 865 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college 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. 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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California

#1

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 #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 21 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Caltech also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649.

Full California Institute of Technology Physical Sciences Report

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California 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 private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 63 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Stanford

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 81 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - 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 be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Los Angeles

#18 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also took the #18 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

Full Cal State LA Physical Sciences Report

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Cal State Fullerton

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 54 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UCR

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 43 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #8 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Irvine Physical Sciences Report

#11 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 30 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Long Beach

#19 in overall quality

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 9 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUB, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437.

Read more about Physical Sciences at CSUB

#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#12 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 22 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SDSU Physical Sciences Report

#12

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - Santa Barbara

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Fresno landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Fresno State has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Fresno State Physical Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Sacramento

#7 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 118 diplomas to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

UCSD also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” 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 UCSD

#16 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona

#18

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s 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 masters’s physical sciences degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Full UC Santa Cruz Physical Sciences Report

#15 in overall quality

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. University of California - Merced is located in Merced, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Merced has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Merced Physical Sciences Report

#20

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 25 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at San Francisco State University

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 1 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo are $21,009.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

With a ranking of #22, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Chico State also took the #0 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Chico State Physical Sciences Report

#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 9 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State East Bay 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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