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

224 Ranked Colleges
6,971 Degrees Awarded
$43,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 6,971 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 224 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

The physical sciences school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

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

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

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 14 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MIT are $56,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at MIT

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#5 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 Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Northwestern University

#3

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Harvard has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’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.

Full Harvard University Physical Sciences Report

#4

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 224 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 63 diplomas to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Full Stanford University Physical Sciences Report

#5

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 69 diplomas to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Chicago

#6

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#10 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UPenn Physical Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 73 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Columbia also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’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.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Columbia

#8

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#11 in overall quality

Princeton University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Princeton, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 82 students in 2019-2020.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Princeton University Physical Sciences Report

#9

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#4 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Johns Hopkins is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 123 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johns Hopkins, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Johns Hopkins

#10

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#9 in overall quality

Cornell University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cornell has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042.

Full Cornell Physical Sciences Report

#11

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#17 in overall quality

Brown University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Brown is a private not-for-profit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 55 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Brown has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Brown Physical Sciences Report

#12

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire

Dartmouth College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hanover, New Hampshire is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dartmouth, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth College are $58,120.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Dartmouth College

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 51 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’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 Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UW - Madison

#14

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 90 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Physical Sciences Report

#15

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Northeastern University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern are $25,558.

Full Northeastern University Physical Sciences Report

#16

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Florida

#17

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 25% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

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

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Physical Sciences Report

#18

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 13 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Vanderbilt University

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Physical Sciences Report

#20

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 75 students in 2019-2020.

Carnegie Mellon also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Carnegie Mellon University are $47,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Carnegie Mellon University Physical Sciences Report

#21

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#14 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 87 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Physical Sciences Report

#22

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Top 25% in overall quality

Boston College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boston College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It awarded 12 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930.

Full Boston College Physical Sciences Report

#23

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#20 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 75 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Physical Sciences Report

#24

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, California Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Caltech

#25

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 81 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UC Berkeley

Rest of the Best 34 in Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 34 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#27

The City College of New York

New York, New York
#28

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#29

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#32

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#34

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

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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