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2023 Best Physical Sciences Colleges for Veterans in the Plains States Region

16 Ranked Colleges
2,881 Degrees Awarded
$28,700 Avg Cost*
Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, veterans have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences” ranking.

Physical Sciences is the 19th most popular major in the country with 50,306 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences” ranking looked at 16 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 a strong support system for veterans and active service members.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as veteran satisfaction, veteran affordability, and overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

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

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences

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

Top 16 Best Physical Sciences Colleges for Veterans in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 16 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 343 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, UMN Twin Cities supports 52,017 students, and 752 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 436 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $13,020. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Veteran Student Life Report

2
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 16 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. 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.

Iowa also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 30,318 students enrolled at Iowa, 1 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $0. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Iowa]](/colleges/university-of-iowa/student-life/veterans/)

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #3 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 129 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 814 of the 31,822 students enrolled at Iowa State were GI Bill® students, of which 388 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,933. On top of their other funding sources, 9 students qualified for 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read More…

4

Out of the 16 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #4 spot on the list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou 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 31,089 students enrolled at University of Missouri - Columbia, 5 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 5 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,384. 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.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read More…

5
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Kansas. The school came in at #5 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region vets studying physical sciences list, KU has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 70 of the 26,744 students enrolled at KU were GI Bill® students, of which 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,917. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. KU does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full KU Veteran Student Life Report

6
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 22 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 7,382 students enrolled at Lindenwood University, 31 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 29 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,583. In addition to receiving other benefits, 1 students received funds 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%.

Read More…

7

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences ranking. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 84 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 249 of the 10,275 students enrolled at University of Minnesota - Duluth were GI Bill® students, of which 88 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,883. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of Minnesota - Duluth 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%.

Read More…

8

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences ranking. UMKC is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 114 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC 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, UMKC supports 16,147 students, and 1 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 0 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $0. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds 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%.

Read More…

9

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 27 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMSL, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, University of Missouri - St Louis supports 13,874 students, and 314 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 228 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,355. During this same period, 2 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

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%.

Full UMSL Veteran Student Life Report

10
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences ranking. Creighton University is a medium-sized school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 42 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region vets studying physical sciences list, Creighton has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Creighton University supports 8,770 students, and 278 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 185 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,575. During this same period, 46 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Creighton University offers credit for military training for eligible students.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Creighton Veteran Student Life Report

11

With a ranking of #11, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences list. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school awarded 119 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Missouri State 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 23,505 students enrolled at Missouri State University - Springfield, 5 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 4 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,830. In addition to receiving other benefits, 1 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%.

Full Missouri State Veteran Student Life Report

12

University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences ranking. 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.

UMN Morris did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 17 of the 1,339 students enrolled at UMN Morris were GI Bill® students, of which 8 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,785. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships 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%.

Read More…

13

Wichita State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences ranking. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

WSU 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, WSU supports 14,999 students, and 577 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 385 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,488. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. WSU does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Full Wichita State University Veteran Student Life Report

14
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences ranking. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

Winona State 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, Winona State supports 7,106 students, and 142 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 69 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,645. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Winona State does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

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%.

Full Winona State University Veteran Student Life Report

15
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, St Olaf College supports 2,953 students, and 23 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 10 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $25,252. In addition to receiving other benefits, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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 More…

16
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Carleton College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Physical Sciences list. This small school is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and it awarded 61 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Carleton also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 1,940 students enrolled at Carleton College, 18 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 14 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $19,697. During this same period, 14 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Carleton]](/colleges/carleton-college/student-life/veterans/)

Notes and References

References

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