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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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.

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 $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 23 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 63 masters’s physical sciences degrees 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 are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford Physical Sciences Report

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. California Institute of Technology is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 21 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech also took the #2 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 Institute of Technology are $56,649.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California Institute of Technology

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 87 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #4 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 81 masters’s 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

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 $48-$75k 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 also took the #18 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Cal State LA

#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 $48-$75k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #13 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State University - Fullerton

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 54 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - Riverside

#8

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#11 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State University - Long Beach

#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 $48-$75k list. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

CSUB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 CSUB Physical Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k 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 full report on Physical Sciences at UC Davis

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k 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.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Fresno landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Fresno

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Sac State also took 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Sac State

#7 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 118 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCSD has also earned the #7 rank 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 full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - San Diego

#16

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#12 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SDSU Physical Sciences Report

#15 in overall quality

University of California - Merced ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Merced is a medium-sized school located in Merced, California that handed out 11 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Merced, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Merced

#18

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

#16 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 10 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona also took the #16 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Physical Sciences Report

#20

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

San Francisco State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 25 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at SFSU

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 1 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are $21,009, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Physical Sciences Report

California State University - Chico came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State University - Chico

#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 $48-$75k list. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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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