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2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

16 Ranked Colleges
2,881 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Plains States region, there were 2,881 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,796 and $23,945 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 16 colleges that offered a degree in physical sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physical sciences programs, but they also 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.

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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 Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 343 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $12,911 for plains states region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. 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 full report on Physical Sciences at UMN Twin Cities

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school awarded 129 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa State has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,641 for plains states region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa State.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Iowa State University

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UMSL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 27 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMSL, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - St Louis is $11,291 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 full report on Physical Sciences at UMSL

4

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #4 spot on the list. UMN Morris is located in Morris, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UMN Morris also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $6,691 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMN Morris.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Minnesota - Morris

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 84 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $13,364 for plains states region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMN Duluth.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Physical Sciences Report

6

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Mizzou is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 94 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $13,715 for plains states region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Physical Sciences Report

7
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $15,453 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at St. Olaf

8

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. UMKC is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 114 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMKC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,768 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMKC.

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%.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Physical Sciences Report

9
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Carleton College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Carleton College is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 61 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Carleton also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Carleton College is $15,991 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Carleton College

10
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $15,749 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Lindenwood University

11
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 132 students in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,026 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Iowa

12

With a ranking of #12, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 119 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $15,950 for plains states region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Missouri State University - Springfield

13

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 28 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $14,581 for plains states region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Wichita State University

14
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 106 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, KU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $18,586 for plains states region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, 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 86%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at KU

15
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,289 for plains states region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Winona State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Winona State University

16
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

With a ranking of #16, Creighton University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 42 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Creighton, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Creighton University is $27,314 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. 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 Creighton

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