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2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region

12 Ranked Colleges
311 Degrees Awarded
$24,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 the Rocky Mountains region, there were 2,198 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,575 and $22,911 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 311 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,140 and $97,138 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking looked at 12 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region”.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region.

Top 14 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Provo, Utah, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

BYU also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brigham Young University - Provo are $7,510.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo Physical Sciences Report

#2

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wyoming. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region. University of Wyoming is a fairly large school located in Laramie, Wyoming that handed out 18 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UW also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wyoming are $16,615.

Full UW Physical Sciences Report

#3

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Utah. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school awarded 53 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of U, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U of U are $24,695.

Full University of Utah Physical Sciences Report

#4

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Montana State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Bozeman, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

MSU Bozeman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Montana State University are $21,446, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at MSU Bozeman

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #5 spot on the list. Fort Collins, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 52 students in 2019-2020.

Colorado State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Colorado State University - Fort Collins are $28,055, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Colorado State

#12 in overall quality

Utah State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #6. Utah State University is a large public school situated in Logan, Utah. It awarded 5 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

USU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Utah State University are $22,598, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Utah State University Physical Sciences Report

#7

University of Idaho

Moscow, Idaho
#7 in overall quality

University of Idaho ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region list. University of Idaho is a fairly large school located in Moscow, Idaho that handed out 9 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region doctor’s degree physical sciences students list, U of I has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U of I are $29,112.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Idaho

#10 in overall quality

University of Northern Colorado landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large public school situated in Greeley, Colorado. It awarded 3 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region doctor’s degree physical sciences students list, University of Northern Colorado has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Colorado are $21,708.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Northern Colorado

#9

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho
#9 in overall quality

Boise State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #9. Boise State University is a public institution located in Boise, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Boise State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boise State University are $26,566.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Boise State University

#10

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana
#11 in overall quality

The University of Montana ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Missoula, Montana, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UM also took the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Montana are $23,242, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UM

#13 in overall quality

Montana Technological University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This small school is located in Butte, Montana, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Montana Tech also took the #13 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Montana Tech are $19,429, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Montana Technological University

#11

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
#1 in overall quality

University of Colorado Boulder landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Boulder, Colorado, this large public school handed out 87 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

CU - Boulder also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at CU - Boulder are $32,980, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at CU - Boulder

#12

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, Colorado
#2 in overall quality

Colorado School of Mines landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Golden, Colorado, this medium-sized public school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region doctor’s degree physical sciences students list, Mines has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Colorado School of Mines are $39,800, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Colorado School of Mines

#14

Idaho State University

Pocatello, Idaho
#14 in overall quality

Idaho State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Pocatello, Idaho is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

ISU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Idaho State University are $26,548.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Idaho State University

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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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