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2022 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

26 Ranked Colleges
1,185 Degrees Awarded
$11,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 14,123 people earned their degree in physics, making the major the 67th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, physics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $42,475 and had an average of $22,421 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 1,185 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $64,500 and $22,324 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the physics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The physics 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 Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Edinburg, Texas, and it awarded 22 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Rio Grande Valley has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $2,993 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Rio Grande Valley.

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

Read more about Physics at UT Rio Grande Valley

#2

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Arizona. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 158 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $10,562 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Physics at University of Arizona

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Texas. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNT, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $8,521 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNT.

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

Read full report on Physics at University of North Texas

#4

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #4 spot on the list. Texas Tech University is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 44 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech University is $12,317 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Physics at Texas Tech

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 39 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also took the #16 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UTSA is $10,516 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UTSA Physics Report

With a ranking of #6, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 118 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $12,203 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas at Austin.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Physics at The University of Texas at Austin

Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. ASU - Tempe is a large school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 73 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Tempe is $7,044 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read full report on Physics at Arizona State University - Tempe

Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 65 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - College Station is $11,454 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 94%.

Read more about Physics at Texas A&M College Station

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OSU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for OSU is $8,669 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read more about Physics at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Richardson, Texas, this large public school handed out 57 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Dallas has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Dallas is $10,857 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at UT Dallas

#11

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

With a ranking of #11, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Marcos, Texas, and it awarded 26 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas State University is $11,125 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Physics at Texas State

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and it awarded 13 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, NMSU Main Campus has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus is $6,896 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Physics Report

With a ranking of #13, The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Texas at El Paso is a large school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 25 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UTEP also took the #22 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at El Paso is $7,092 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Physics at The University of Texas at El Paso

#14

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Houston is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 43 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also took the #17 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UH is $10,203 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Houston Physics Report

#15

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. OCCC is a public institution located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Oklahoma City Community College is $5,889 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Physics at Oklahoma City Community College

#16

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SHSU is a large school located in Huntsville, Texas that handed out 10 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SHSU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,561 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sam Houston State University.

Read full report on Physics at SHSU

#17

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Arizona University is a large public school situated in Flagstaff, Arizona. It awarded 19 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend NAU is $9,251 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full NAU Physics Report

The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large school located in Arlington, Texas that handed out 33 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $11,811 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas at Arlington.

Read full report on Physics at The University of Texas at Arlington

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, and it awarded 3 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend SFASU is $8,650 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Physics at Stephen F Austin State University

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. University of Oklahoma is a large school located in Norman, Oklahoma that handed out 25 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $16,675 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Physics Report

#21

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Tarleton State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tarleton State University is a fairly large school located in Stephenville, Texas that handed out 4 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Tarleton has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tarleton State University is $15,604 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Tarleton State University Physics Report

#22

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of New Mexico - Main Campus is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 49 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UNM also took the #23 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of New Mexico - Main Campus is $13,242 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus Physics Report

#23

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

Baylor University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. This fairly large school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 13 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $26,726 for southwest region physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Baylor University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at Baylor University

#24

Texas Southern University

Houston, Texas

Texas Southern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. This medium-sized school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 1 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TSU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend TSU is $19,390 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Physics at Texas Southern University

#25

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Texas Christian University is located in Fort Worth, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

TCU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for TCU is $21,286 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, 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 92%.

Read more about Physics at TCU

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.

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