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2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

56 Ranked Colleges
9,420 Degrees Awarded
$13,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Southeast Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Southeast region, there were 9,420 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,772 and $23,221 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking, we looked at 56 colleges that offer 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.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

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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 Southeast Region”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Southeast Region

1
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Carolina University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. WCU is a fairly large school located in Cullowhee, North Carolina that handed out 70 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WCU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WCU is $13,924 for southeast region physical sciences students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at WCU

2
ETSU crest
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Tennessee State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. ETSU is a public institution located in Johnson City, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for East Tennessee State University is $12,894 for southeast region physical sciences students.

Full East Tennessee State University Physical Sciences Report

3

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 170 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa also took the #18 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $8,346 for southeast region physical sciences students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 South Florida - Main Campus

4
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida Atlantic University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region. Boca Raton, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 73 students in 2020-2021.

FAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida Atlantic University is $10,735 for southeast region physical sciences students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Florida Atlantic University

5
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Memphis. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. UofM is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,904 for southeast region physical sciences students per year to attend University of Memphis.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Memphis

6
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East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #6. Greenville, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 131 students in 2020-2021.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend East Carolina University is $16,550 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at East Carolina University

7
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

With a ranking of #7, Mississippi State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. Mississippi State, Mississippi is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 243 students in 2020-2021.

Mississippi State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $16,122 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students per year to attend Mississippi State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Mississippi State

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 216 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students list, Florida State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,946 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students per year to attend Florida State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad 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 full report on Physical Sciences at Florida State University

9

University of North Carolina at Wilmington ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 129 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

UNCW also took the #21 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $19,136 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Carolina at Wilmington Physical Sciences Report

10
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

With a ranking of #10, University of Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 295 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $5,135 for southeast region physical sciences students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, 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 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Florida

11
RBC crest
Richard Bland College of William and Mary
South Prince George, Virginia

Richard Bland College of William and Mary ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. Richard Bland College of William and Mary is a public institution located in South Prince George, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 157 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend RBC is $13,322 for southeast region physical sciences students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Richard Bland College of William and Mary

12

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Magnolia, Arkansas, this small public school handed out 36 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,321 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students per year to attend Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

13

With a ranking of #13, University of North Alabama did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. UNA is a medium-sized school located in Florence, Alabama that handed out 32 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Alabama is $13,699 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of North Alabama

14

With a ranking of #14, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 214 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,298 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students per year to attend Florida International University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, 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 91%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at FIU

15

University of Central Arkansas ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. UCA is located in Conway, Arkansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,554 for southeast region physical sciences students per year to attend UCA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UCA

16
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #16, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. Appalachian State is a large school located in Boone, North Carolina that handed out 107 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,989 for southeast region physical sciences students per year to attend Appalachian State University.

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 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State Physical Sciences Report

17

University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 174 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,634 for southeast region physical sciences students per year to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad 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 UNC Charlotte

18

With a ranking of #18, University of North Carolina at Pembroke did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a medium-sized public school situated in Pembroke, North Carolina. It awarded 28 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,792 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students per year to attend UNC Pembroke.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UNC Pembroke

19
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school awarded 112 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students list, UGA has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $14,257 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, 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 94%.

Full UGA Physical Sciences Report

20
GaSou crest
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia

Georgia Southern University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This large school is located in Statesboro, Georgia, and it awarded 68 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Southern University is $15,571 for southeast region physical sciences students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Georgia Southern University

21
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 117 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WVU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,355 for southeast region physical sciences students per year to attend West Virginia University.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at WVU

22
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #22. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 194 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $16,411 for southeast region physical sciences students per year to attend NC State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, 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 94%.

Full North Carolina State University Physical Sciences Report

23

Tennessee Technological University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cookeville, Tennessee, and it awarded 43 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,932 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students per year to attend Tennessee Technological University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Tennessee Technological University

24

With a ranking of #24, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 146 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Louisiana State University, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $17,811 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students per year to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, 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 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Louisiana State University

25

University of Alabama at Birmingham did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #25. University of Alabama at Birmingham is a large public school situated in Birmingham, Alabama. It awarded 72 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Alabama at Birmingham is $16,530 for southeast region physical sciences students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, 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 full report on Physical Sciences at UAB

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