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2023 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

56 Ranked Colleges
9,420 Degrees Awarded
$9,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 50,306 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. 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 Southeast region, there were 9,420 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,772 and $23,221 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 56 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Florida is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 295 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UF has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $2,857 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UF.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UF

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 314 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNC Chapel Hill is $5,729 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Forest University landed the #3 spot on the list. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Wake Forest University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $5,612 for southeast 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 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 Wake Forest University

4
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and it awarded 120 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

William & Mary also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $7,507 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physical Sciences at William & Mary

5
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 216 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Florida State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $7,349 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Florida State

6
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 138 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Emory has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $8,976 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Emory Physical Sciences Report

7

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 170 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,632 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USF Tampa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Physical Sciences Report

8
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

With a ranking of #8, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 241 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Virginia, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $10,063 for southeast 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 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Virginia

9
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 194 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

NC State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $9,448 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at NC State

10
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Florida Atlantic University is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

FAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend FAU is $8,262 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at FAU

11

Florida International University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school handed out 214 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $4,882 for Southeast 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

Full FIU Physical Sciences Report

12
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 112 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $10,688 for southeast 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 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UGA Physical Sciences Report

13

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 124 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,712 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, 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 97%.

Full Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Physical Sciences Report

14
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #14, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 44 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNF is $6,074 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of North Florida

15
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school handed out 117 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

WVU also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend WVU is $10,250 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at West Virginia University

16

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this large public school handed out 146 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University is $15,403 for Southeast 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%. 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 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

17
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #17, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Appalachian State is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 107 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $9,940 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 86%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Appalachian State University

18
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. East Carolina University is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 131 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $13,029 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at East Carolina University

19
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 205 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $14,003 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Virginia Tech

20
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, this fairly large public school awarded 39 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Kentucky University is $5,947 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at NKU

21
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Western Carolina University is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 70 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WCU also took the #23 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WCU is $11,625 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Western Carolina University

22
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, Kentucky and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UK has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kentucky is $13,424 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 UK Physical Sciences Report

23
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mississippi State, Mississippi is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 243 students in 2020-2021.

Mississippi State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Mississippi State is $13,553 for Southeast 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.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Mississippi State

24

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UT Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 153 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for UT Knoxville is $13,970 for southeast 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 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Physical Sciences Report

25

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 174 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,226 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Charlotte.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UNC Charlotte

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