Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

18 Ranked Colleges
303 Degrees Awarded
$32,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Far Western US region, there were 3,784 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,070 and $20,138 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 303 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,342 and $136,270 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 18 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Stanford University

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Caltech also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Caltech Physics Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 45 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at UC Berkeley

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 16 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UW Seattle

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #5 spot on the list. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UCSD also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - San Diego Physics Report

#6

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read full report on Physics at University of California - Los Angeles

With a ranking of #7, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Irvine Physics Report

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UCR

#9

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCSB Physics Report

University of California - Davis landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 13 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Davis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700.

Read more about Physics at University of California - Davis

#14 in overall quality

University of California - Merced came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Merced is a medium-sized school located in Merced, California that handed out 6 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Merced, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Merced are $43,854.

Read full report on Physics at University of California - Merced

#15 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Las Vegas came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNLV is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNLV not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNLV Physics Report

#13

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#15 in overall quality

Washington State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wazzu is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wazzu has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington State University are $27,561, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Washington State University

#14

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Physics Report

#15

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

Portland State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Portland State University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Portland State University are $23,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Portland State University

#16

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#10 in overall quality

University of Oregon did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Eugene, Oregon, this large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UO also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at University of Oregon

#17

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#16 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Honolulu, Hawaii is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

UH Manoa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of Hawaii at Manoa

#18

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#13 in overall quality

Oregon State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oregon State is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Oregon State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oregon State are $28,121.

Full Oregon State Physics Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Physical Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You