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2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

27 Ranked Colleges
2,290 Degrees Awarded
$12,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Plains States region, there were 3,094 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,917 and $23,900 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 2,290 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 27 colleges that offered 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.

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 Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#20 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #1 spot on the list. Morris, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMN Morris has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Morris is $3,435 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Morris Physical Sciences Report

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 206 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,418 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized school located in Rolla, Missouri that handed out 68 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri University of Science and Technology did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology is $10,660 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology

#4

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Olaf College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Northfield, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, St. Olaf has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,276 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St. Olaf.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at St Olaf College

#5

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Truman State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Truman State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,269 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Truman State.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, 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 88%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Truman State University

#14 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a fairly large public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 58 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,992 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 full report on Physical Sciences at UMN Duluth

#7 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 78 students in 2019-2020.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,595 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, 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 Mizzou Physical Sciences Report

#8

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#23 in overall quality

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 22 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMSL has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $6,838 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Physical Sciences Report

#15 in overall quality

Iowa State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 85 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $10,843 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Iowa State University

#10

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $13,918 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Lindenwood University

#11

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#11 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 29 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI also made our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $12,495 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, 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 86%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UNI

#22 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 44 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $9,863 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Physical Sciences Report

#13

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 63 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,089 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend K -State.

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 Kansas State University

Fort Hays State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hays, Kansas, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for FHSU is $9,882 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at FHSU

#15

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UMKC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 105 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMKC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,553 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMKC.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UMKC

#16

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota
#5 in overall quality

Concordia College at Moorhead did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Concordia College Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 21 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia College Moorhead, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,927 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Concordia College at Moorhead.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Concordia College Moorhead

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Rapid City, South Dakota, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

SD Mines not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,644 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

#18

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#16 in overall quality

University of Kansas ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 76 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, KU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend KU is $15,380 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 KU

#24 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,488 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Missouri State University - Springfield

#20

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school handed out 28 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $12,543 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend WSU.

Full Wichita State University Physical Sciences Report

#21

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
#17 in overall quality

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Gustavus Adolphus is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Gustavus Adolphus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,669 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Gustavus Adolphus College

#22

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Hamline University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hamline University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 12 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Hamline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Hamline University is $18,298 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Hamline University

#23

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Metro State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Metro State is $14,812 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Metropolitan State University

#24

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
#6 in overall quality

Luther College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decorah, Iowa. It awarded 13 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Luther also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,630 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Luther College.

The low student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%.

Full Luther College Physical Sciences Report

#25

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 25 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Bethel University Minnesota not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,525 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bethel University Minnesota.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Bethel University Minnesota 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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