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2023 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)

35 Ranked Colleges
11,419 Degrees Awarded
$12,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 Far Western US region, there were 11,419 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,747 and $20,026 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 35 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.

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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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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 243 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Stanford also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $12,894 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid per year to attend Stanford University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Stanford University

2

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 612 students in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $12,017 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, 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 93%.

Full UW Seattle Physical Sciences Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 598 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - San Diego

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 63 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,302 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid per year to attend Cal State LA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Cal State LA

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 371 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $15,023 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid per year to attend UCLA.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 UCLA

6

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 400 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region physical sciences students with aid list, UCSB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $16,252 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

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 1.8% 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 UCSB Physical Sciences Report

7

University of California - Berkeley came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 560 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region physical sciences students with aid list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Berkeley Physical Sciences Report

8

University of California - Irvine ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 367 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $12,209 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

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 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%.

Full University of California - Irvine Physical Sciences Report

9

California State University - Long Beach ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 120 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $10,054 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at CSULB

10

California State University - Fullerton came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

11

University of California - Davis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 270 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $15,768 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid per year to attend UC Davis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, 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 93%.

Full University of California - Davis Physical Sciences Report

12

University of California - Riverside came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 225 students in 2020-2021.

UCR also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $11,822 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

13
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 167 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $13,845 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid per year to attend SDSU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at SDSU

14

California State University - Sacramento landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 80 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

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 Sac State

15

University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it awarded 68 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNLV, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNLV is $10,993 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 UNLV

16

With a ranking of #16, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 131 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

17

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school awarded 61 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,107 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, 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 85%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - San Bernardino

18

California State University - Northridge landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 83 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at CSUN

19

University of Nevada - Reno landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Reno, Nevada, and it awarded 123 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region physical sciences students with aid list, UNR has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNR is $14,930 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

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%.

Full University of Nevada - Reno Physical Sciences Report

20

With a ranking of #20, California State University - Channel Islands did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Channel Islands is a medium-sized public school situated in Camarillo, California. It awarded 31 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUCI also took the #22 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUCI is $14,928 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Channel Islands Physical Sciences Report

21

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $6,566 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Stan State

22
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it awarded 181 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region physical sciences students with aid list, UO has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UO is $18,047 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UO

22

University of California - Merced ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 92 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Merced also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend UC Merced is $13,691 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

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

24

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 343 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $17,930 for far western us region physical sciences students with aid per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

25

Portland State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Portland, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 81 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Portland State University is $12,498 for Far Western US Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Portland State University Physical Sciences Report

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