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2023 Best Physical Sciences Colleges for Veterans in Virginia

10 Ranked Colleges
1,478 Degrees Awarded
$35,400 Avg Cost*
Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences

When it comes to choosing a college, veterans have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Virginia, there were 1,478 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,871 and $21,765 respectively.

For this year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences” ranking, we looked at 10 colleges that offer a degree in physical sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physical sciences programs as well as strong veteran support.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran satisfaction. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences”.

Top 10 Best Physical Sciences Colleges for Veterans in Virginia

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences list. VCU is a large school located in Richmond, Virginia that handed out 149 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

VCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 29,070 students enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University, 1 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 2 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,085. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

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

[Read full report on veteran student life at VCU]](/colleges/virginia-commonwealth-university/student-life/veterans/)

2
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

Out of the 10 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #2 spot on the list. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 120 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

William & Mary also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 531 of the 8,939 students enrolled at William & Mary were GI Bill® students, of which 349 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $19,978. To help with additional expenses, 5 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. William & Mary does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, 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.

Full William & Mary Veteran Student Life Report

3
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

Out of the 10 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Virginia is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 241 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 25,628 students enrolled at University of Virginia - Main Campus, 3 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at University of Virginia - Main Campus]](/colleges/university-of-virginia-main-campus/student-life/veterans/)

4
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend George Mason University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences list. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 95 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

GMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, GMU supports 38,541 students, and 2,334 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 1,583 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,710. In addition to receiving other benefits, 42 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read More…

5
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend James Madison University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences list. JMU is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 89 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

JMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 21,594 students enrolled at James Madison University, 842 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 464 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,824. To help with additional expenses, 3 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. James Madison University does offer credit for military training for eligible 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 undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 veteran student life at JMU]](/colleges/james-madison-university/student-life/veterans/)

6
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences ranking. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school awarded 205 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Virginia Tech supports 37,024 students, and 119 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 108 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $12,314. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Virginia Tech]](/colleges/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university/student-life/veterans/)

7
CNU crest
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences ranking. This small school is located in Newport News, Virginia, and it awarded 37 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

CNU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 4,868 students enrolled at Christopher Newport University, 344 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 196 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,614. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Christopher Newport University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

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

[Read full report on veteran student life at Christopher Newport University]](/colleges/christopher-newport-university/student-life/veterans/)

8
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington ranked #8 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences list. Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, this small public school handed out 53 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

UMW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, UMW supports 4,293 students, and 47 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 39 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,578. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 UMW Veteran Student Life Report

9
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences ranking, coming in at #9. Radford, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

Radford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Radford University supports 10,695 students, and 460 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 225 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,142. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Full Radford Veteran Student Life Report

10
RBC crest
Richard Bland College of William and Mary
South Prince George, Virginia

Richard Bland College of William and Mary landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Physical Sciences ranking. RBC is located in South Prince George, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 157 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

RBC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 2,218 students enrolled at Richard Bland College of William and Mary, 57 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 22 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,737. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full RBC Veteran Student Life Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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