College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

16 Ranked Colleges
2,881 Degrees Awarded
$18,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

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 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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 16 colleges that offered 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Physical Sciences Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region physical sciences students with aid.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also took the #2 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,002 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students with aid per year to attend Iowa State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, 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 89%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Iowa State University

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 343 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

3

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #3 spot on the list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 27 students 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. It costs about $12,232 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Physical Sciences Report

4
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region physical sciences students with aid list, Iowa has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $19,401 for plains states region physical sciences students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Iowa

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region physical sciences students with aid list, UMN Morris has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Morris is $10,529 for plains states region physical sciences students with aid.

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 UMN Morris

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UMKC is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 114 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region physical sciences students with aid list, UMKC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $15,702 for plains states 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 University of Missouri - Kansas City

7

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 94 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for plains states region physical sciences students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Mizzou

8

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 84 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region physical sciences students with aid list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,505 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students with aid 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UMN Duluth

9

With a ranking of #9, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid 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 $16,718 for plains states 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 full report on Physical Sciences at Missouri State

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region physical sciences students with aid list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $17,366 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Lindenwood University

11

Wichita State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 28 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region physical sciences students with aid list, WSU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wichita State University is $14,859 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

Read more about Physical Sciences at WSU

12
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. KU is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 106 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

KU also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for Plains States 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Kansas Physical Sciences Report

13
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

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. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $17,634 for Plains States Region Physical Sciences students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Winona State University

14
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. St. Olaf is located in Northfield, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

St. Olaf also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $24,052 for plains states 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 0.8% 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at St Olaf College

15
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Carleton College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and it awarded 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 $28,928 for Plains States 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. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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 full report on Physical Sciences at Carleton College

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 Getting Aid list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 42 students 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. It costs about $31,218 for plains states region physical sciences students with aid per year to attend Creighton.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Creighton Physical Sciences Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options