2023 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
35
Ranked Colleges
11,419
Degrees Awarded
$9,000
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 the Far Western US region, there were 11,419 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,747 and $20,026 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 35 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 the Far Western US Region 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 243 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.
Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $1,581 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stanford.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.
Full Stanford Physical Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 143 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Caltech, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $12,190 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at California Institute of Technology
Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 560 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $9,999 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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%.
Full UC Berkeley Physical Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW Seattle is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 612 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW Seattle is $6,399 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Washington - Seattle Campus
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,891 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at UCLA
University of California - San Diego landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 598 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $11,176 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%.
Full University of California - San Diego Physical Sciences Report
California State University - Los Angeles landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 63 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $2,701 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Los Angeles Physical Sciences Report
With a ranking of #8, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 367 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $8,449 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - Irvine
University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 400 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSB also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,606 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UCSB Physical Sciences Report
University of California - Davis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 270 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $11,598 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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 UC Davis Physical Sciences Report
California State University - Long Beach ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 120 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $7,573 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State University - Long Beach
California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 93 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $5,821 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State University - Fullerton
With a ranking of #13, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 225 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.
UCR also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at UCR
San Diego State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 167 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, SDSU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $9,274 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad 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%. 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
University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 343 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $12,049 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz
With a ranking of #16, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $4,903 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad 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%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Stanislaus
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 131 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 80 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,055 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Sacramento
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $6,613 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State University - San Bernardino
With a ranking of #20, University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNLV has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNLV is $9,602 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Nevada - Las Vegas
With a ranking of #21, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 83 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $7,103 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about Physical Sciences at CSUN
University of Nevada - Reno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Reno, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNR has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nevada - Reno is $12,399 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at UNR
With a ranking of #23, Washington State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 192 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Wazzu did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wazzu is $8,719 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad 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%.
Full Washington State University Physical Sciences Report
Western Washington University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 126 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
WWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WWU is $11,357 for far western us region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full WWU Physical Sciences Report
California State University - Channel Islands did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. CSUCI is a medium-sized school located in Camarillo, California that handed out 31 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUCI also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Channel Islands is $13,125 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at CSUCI
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