2023 Best Value Colleges for Natural Sciences (Income $30-$48k)
24
Ranked Colleges
2,214
Degrees Awarded
$13,200
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.
Natural Sciences is the 208th most popular major in the country with 2,214 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, natural sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $25,745 and had an average of $18,648 in loans still to pay off.
This year’s “Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree in natural sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality natural sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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 natural sciences program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Natural 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 Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Natural Sciences (Income $30-$48k)
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #1 spot on the list. Johns Hopkins is located in Baltimore, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johns Hopkins, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,859 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Johns Hopkins University.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Johns Hopkins
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Colorado State is a public institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Colorado State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $12,736 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Colorado State Natural Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Boston College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s natural sciences degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
Boston College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Boston College is $7,075 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Boston College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Arizona State University - Tempe. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. ASU - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 6 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Tempe is $10,628 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, 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 about Natural Sciences at Arizona State University - Tempe
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Kansas State University landed the #5 spot on the list. K -State is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 84 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,653 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kansas State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full K -State Natural Sciences Report
University of Puerto Rico - Cayey came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UPR Cayey is located in Cayey, and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 72 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
UPR Cayey also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $6,243 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Puerto Rico - Cayey.
Read more about Natural Sciences at UPR Cayey
University of Arizona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified ’s natural sciences students in 2020-2021.
University of Arizona also took the #6 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,160 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Arizona.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Natural Sciences at University of Arizona
American Public University System landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, this large private for-profit school handed out 32 diplomas to qualified ’s natural sciences students in 2020-2021.
American Military University also took the #8 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for American Public University System is $10,885 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full American Public University System Natural Sciences Report
The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. UTEP is a public institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UTEP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at El Paso is $8,495 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full UTEP Natural Sciences Report
Northeastern State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and it awarded 4 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
NSU also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $8,315 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northeastern State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at NSU
University of Wyoming came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Laramie, Wyoming, and it awarded 6 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UW also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for UW is $6,776 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at University of Wyoming
With a ranking of #12, University of Alaska Fairbanks did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. UAF is a public institution located in Fairbanks, Alaska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UAF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $9,093 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UAF.
Full UAF Natural Sciences Report
California State University - Chico came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 8 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $13,040 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Natural Sciences at California State University - Chico
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Virginia Commonwealth University is a large public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 14 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, VCU has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Commonwealth University is $15,891 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Virginia Commonwealth University Natural Sciences Report
Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Missouri State is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Missouri State also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,144 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Missouri State
Arkansas State University - Newport ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Arkansas State University - Newport is located in Newport, Arkansas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
ASUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Arkansas State University - Newport is $8,121 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Read full report on Natural Sciences at ASUN
Dominican University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 28 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Dominican U also took the #7 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,903 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Dominican U.
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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Dominican University
University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 5 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UNOMAHA also made our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $11,294 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.
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%.
Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Natural Sciences Report
With a ranking of #19, College of Saint Benedict did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Saint Joseph, Minnesota, and it awarded 14 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSB, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of Saint Benedict is $17,510 for Natural Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, 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%.
Full CSB Natural Sciences Report
With a ranking of #20, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a small school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 24 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology also took the #18 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,328 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Temple University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. It costs about $19,355 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Temple University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Natural Sciences at Temple
Oklahoma Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Oklahoma Baptist University is a small school located in Shawnee, Oklahoma that handed out 10 ’s natural sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
OBU also took the #23 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oklahoma Baptist University is $17,911 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Natural Sciences at Oklahoma Baptist University
Loyola Marymount University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Loyola Marymount is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s natural sciences degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Marymount, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” ranking. It costs about $31,985 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Loyola Marymount University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Loyola Marymount Natural Sciences Report
Hofstra University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Natural Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Hofstra is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hempstead, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Hofstra did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Natural Sciences Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Hofstra is $29,656 for natural sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Natural Sciences at Hofstra 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
- *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.
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