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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in California

23 Ranked Colleges
865 Degrees Awarded
$26,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 California, there were 8,509 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,072 and $18,572 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 865 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in physical sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physical sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school. 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 Master’s in California 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

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

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 63 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Stanford University

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Los Angeles

#3

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California 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.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Caltech has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California Institute of Technology

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California 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.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UC Berkeley

#18 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 19 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Physical Sciences Report

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 28 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State Fullerton Physical Sciences Report

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 54 diplomas to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686.

Full UCR Physical Sciences Report

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Irvine Physical Sciences Report

#11 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 30 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSULB Physical Sciences Report

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school awarded 9 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

CSUB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Bakersfield are $18,437, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Physical Sciences Report

#11

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 38 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UCSB

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Fresno ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 28 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Fresno

#13

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#12 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 22 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at San Diego State University

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 40 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Davis has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - Davis

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 10 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Sacramento

#7 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 118 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - San Diego

#17

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz

#15 in overall quality

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. University of California - Merced is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 11 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also took the #15 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UC Merced

#19

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at SFSU

#16 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Physical Sciences Report

With a ranking of #21, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo are $21,009.

Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Physical Sciences Report

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Chico State is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Chico State

#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Cal State East Bay

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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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