College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

12 Ranked Colleges
2,027 Degrees Awarded
$11,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 50,306 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. 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 the Rocky Mountains region, there were 2,027 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,145 and $23,423 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 12 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Physical Sciences Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for rocky mountains region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 12 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

1
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wyoming. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Laramie, Wyoming, and it awarded 97 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wyoming is $6,905 for rocky mountains region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UW

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Rexburg, Idaho, and it awarded 36 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU - I also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $2,073 for rocky mountains region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend BYU - I.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Brigham Young University - Idaho

3

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #3 spot on the list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 122 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, BYU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brigham Young University - Provo is $9,445 for Rocky Mountains Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at BYU

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Colorado Boulder. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 375 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder also took the #2 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CU - Boulder is $13,141 for Rocky Mountains Region 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at CU - Boulder

5
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Utah. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school handed out 235 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, U of U has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Utah is $10,431 for Rocky Mountains Region 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 89%. The low undergrad 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at U of U

6

Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Colorado State University - Fort Collins is a large public school situated in Fort Collins, Colorado. It awarded 149 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $11,924 for Rocky Mountains Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Colorado State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.

Full Colorado State Physical Sciences Report

7
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

With a ranking of #7, University of Idaho did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. U of I is located in Moscow, Idaho and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, U of I has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $10,816 for Rocky Mountains Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Idaho.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 Idaho

8
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mines is a medium-sized public school situated in Golden, Colorado. It awarded 82 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Mines also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $16,977 for Rocky Mountains Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mines.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Colorado School of Mines

9

University of Northern Colorado did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Greeley, Colorado, this fairly large public school awarded 68 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

University of Northern Colorado also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Colorado is $13,150 for Rocky Mountains Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Colorado Physical Sciences Report

10

Boise State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Boise, Idaho, and it awarded 74 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Boise State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Boise State University is $12,561 for Rocky Mountains Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Boise State University

11
MSU Bozeman crest
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MSU Bozeman is a fairly large school located in Bozeman, Montana that handed out 122 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Bozeman, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Montana State University is $15,986 for Rocky Mountains Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Montana State University

12

Metropolitan State University of Denver landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MSU Denver is a fairly large school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 37 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Denver, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Metropolitan State University of Denver is $11,867 for rocky mountains region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options