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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in Massachusetts

19 Ranked Colleges
1,174 Degrees Awarded
$24,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor's in Massachusetts

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 52,879 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. 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 Massachusetts, there were 1,775 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,990 and $23,320 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,174 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,887 and $24,387 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts” ranking analyzed 19 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

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 for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts” 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 for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts.

Top 19 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in Massachusetts

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Massachusetts - Lowell. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. UMass Lowell is a fairly large school located in Lowell, Massachusetts that handed out 37 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students list, UMass Lowell has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Massachusetts - Lowell is $19,119 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students.

The low 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UMass Lowell

#2

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, Massachusetts
#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bridgewater State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. This fairly large school is located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and it awarded 40 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Bridgewater State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bridgewater State is $18,457 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Bridgewater State University

#3

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. UMass Amherst is a large public school situated in Amherst, Massachusetts. It awarded 117 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Amherst, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Massachusetts Amherst is $22,501 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students.

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 low student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 more about Physical Sciences at University of Massachusetts Amherst

#4

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts
#17 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Salem State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. Salem State is a medium-sized public school situated in Salem, Massachusetts. It awarded 16 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Salem State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $18,399 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students per year to attend Salem State.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Salem State University

#5

Framingham State University

Framingham, Massachusetts
#19 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Framingham State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts. Framingham State University is located in Framingham, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Framingham State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Framingham State University is $20,001 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Framingham State

#16 in overall quality

University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 21 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students list, UMass Boston has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMass Boston is $18,340 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UMass Boston

#7

Emmanuel College Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts
#18 in overall quality

Emmanuel College Massachusetts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #7. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 5 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Emmanuel Boston also took the #18 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emmanuel College Massachusetts is $28,314 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students.

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

Read more about Physical Sciences at Emmanuel College Massachusetts

#8

Suffolk University

Boston, Massachusetts
#15 in overall quality

Suffolk University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #8. Suffolk is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Suffolk, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $30,701 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students per year to attend Suffolk University.

The 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 more about Physical Sciences at Suffolk

#9

Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts
#13 in overall quality

Williams College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking. Williams is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 74 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students list, Williams has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Williams College is $19,480 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Williams

#10

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Massachusetts Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 114 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

MIT also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Massachusetts Institute of Technology is $16,636 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 MIT Physical Sciences Report

#11

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, Massachusetts
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, College of the Holy Cross did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. College of the Holy Cross is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Worcester, Massachusetts. It awarded 53 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Holy Cross, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Holy Cross is $37,292 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Holy Cross

#12

Wheaton College Massachusetts

Norton, Massachusetts
#8 in overall quality

Wheaton College Massachusetts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #12. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Norton, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Massachusetts also took the #8 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $26,809 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students per year to attend Wheaton College Massachusetts.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Wheaton College Massachusetts

#13

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

Harvard University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 112 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students list, Harvard has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard University is $15,386 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 Harvard

#14

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#3 in overall quality

Northeastern University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 72 students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern also made our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern University is $31,093 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The 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 more about Physical Sciences at Northeastern University

#15

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts
#11 in overall quality

Smith College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking. This small school is located in Northampton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 52 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students list, Smith has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Smith College is $28,305 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students.

The low student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Smith Physical Sciences Report

#16

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts
#9 in overall quality

Brandeis University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. This medium-sized school is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, and it awarded 38 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brandeis, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brandeis is $31,165 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Brandeis University

#17

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Boston University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking. Boston U is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 68 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $30,259 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students per year to attend Boston University.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive 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 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Boston U Physical Sciences Report

#18

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Boston College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. Boston College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It awarded 32 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston College also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $35,899 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students per year to attend Boston College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, 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.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Boston College

#19

Wellesley College

Wellesley, Massachusetts
#5 in overall quality

Wellesley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #19. Wellesley College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wellesley, Massachusetts. It awarded 43 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Wellesley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wellesley is $22,087 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree physical sciences students.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 Wellesley College

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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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