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2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

166 Ranked Colleges
5,989 Degrees Awarded
$43,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Physical Sciences is the 18th most popular major in the country with 52,879 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 5,989 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 166 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physical sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physical sciences programs, but they also cost less that 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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 166 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 96 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, MIT has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719.

Read more about Physical Sciences at MIT

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 53 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern University Physical Sciences Report

#3

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 #3 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 111 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011.

Full Stanford University Physical Sciences Report

#4

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 46 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UPenn has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Pennsylvania

#5

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harvard is a large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 71 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Harvard University

#6

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

University of Chicago landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 66 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Chicago

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbia is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 71 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also took the #5 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Physical Sciences Report

#8

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#14 in overall quality

Princeton University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Princeton University is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 56 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Princeton has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Princeton

#9

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#20 in overall quality

University of Florida ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 61 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UF has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Florida

#10

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cornell University is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 62 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042.

Full Cornell University Physical Sciences Report

#11

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire
#9 in overall quality

Dartmouth College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dartmouth College is a medium-sized school located in Hanover, New Hampshire that handed out 11 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Dartmouth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth are $58,120, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Dartmouth College

#12

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Johns Hopkins is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 39 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences Report

#13

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
Top 20% in overall quality

Brown University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Brown University is a medium-sized school located in Providence, Rhode Island that handed out 37 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Brown is in the top on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Brown University

#14

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#24 in overall quality

Northeastern University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northeastern has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern are $25,558, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Northeastern University

#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 84 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW - Madison Physical Sciences Report

#16

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 118 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, U-M has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#17

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wake Forest University are $39,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Wake Forest University Physical Sciences Report

#18

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 28 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Vanderbilt

#19

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 69 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#20

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 88 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Purdue University - Main Campus

#21

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, California Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Caltech is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 43 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Caltech has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California Institute of Technology

#22

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #22, Boston College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Boston College Physical Sciences Report

#23

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#15 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 139 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #15 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Full UC Berkeley Physical Sciences Report

#24

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#13 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 69 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also took the #13 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - Los Angeles

#25

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming

With a ranking of #25, University of Wyoming did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, Wyoming and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wyoming are $16,615, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Wyoming

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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