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2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

141 Ranked Colleges
1,801 Degrees Awarded
$45,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students 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 “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,801 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 141 colleges that offered a degree in physics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physics programs, but they also 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 physics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physics 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 Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. MIT is a fairly large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 31 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Massachusetts Institute of Technology Physics Report

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Out of the 141 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 57 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Stanford University

#3

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwestern has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern Physics Report

#4

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

Harvard did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Harvard

#5

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760.

Read full report on Physics at University of Pennsylvania

#6

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

University of Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UChicago Physics Report

#4 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Columbia

#8

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#14 in overall quality

Princeton University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Princeton is located in Princeton, New Jersey and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Princeton, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Princeton University

#9

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cornell is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Ithaca, New York. It awarded 25 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cornell has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042.

Full Cornell University Physics Report

#10

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Dartmouth College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dartmouth College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Hanover, New Hampshire. It awarded 5 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Dartmouth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth are $58,120.

Read more about Physics at Dartmouth

#11

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Johns Hopkins is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 15 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425.

Full Johns Hopkins University Physics Report

#12

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Florida ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 16 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at UF

#13

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
Top 25% in overall quality

Brown University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Brown University

#14

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#19 in overall quality

Northeastern University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northeastern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 10 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern University are $25,558.

Full Northeastern University Physics Report

#15

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 39 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at U-M

#24 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#17

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 8 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Vanderbilt University

#18

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

With a ranking of #18, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#19

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wake Forest University are $39,216.

Read full report on Physics at Wake Forest University

#20

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#11 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at California Institute of Technology

#21

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #21, Boston College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Boston College

#22

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 17 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Physics at University of Notre Dame

#23

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#25 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 9 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394.

Read more about Physics at University of Virginia

#24

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#5 in overall quality

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Carnegie Mellon also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Carnegie Mellon University are $47,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Carnegie Mellon

#25

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Top 20% in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UMN Twin Cities is also in the top of our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Read more about Physics at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

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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