2023 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
33
Ranked Colleges
3,867
Degrees Awarded
$9,500
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 13,674 people earned their degree in physics, making the major the 68th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, physics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $42,960 and had an average of $22,756 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 3,867 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,477 and $19,896 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 33 colleges that offer a degree 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
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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools 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 ’s physics degrees to 85 students in 2020-2021.
Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $1,581 for far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Physics at Stanford University
Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 52 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Caltech also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $12,190 for far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Caltech.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Physics at Caltech
Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 262 students in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $6,399 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Physics at University of Washington - Seattle Campus
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 197 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $9,999 for far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Physics at UC Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,891 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UCLA Physics Report
University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 82 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $11,176 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Physics at University of California - San Diego
California State University - Los Angeles came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $2,701 for far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Los Angeles Physics Report
University of California - Irvine came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 122 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 94%.
Full UC Irvine Physics Report
University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 199 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.
UCSB also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,606 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Physics at University of California - Santa Barbara
University of California - Davis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 90 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #8 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $11,598 for far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Physics at University of California - Davis
California State University - Long Beach ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 48 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $7,573 for far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national 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 full report on Physics at California State University - Long Beach
California State University - Fullerton came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 35 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also took the #19 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $5,821 for far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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%.
Read full report on Physics at California State University - Fullerton
University of California - Riverside ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 83 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.
UCR also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, 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 91%.
Read more about Physics at UCR
University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 95 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $12,049 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Santa Cruz Physics Report
San Diego State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.
SDSU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $9,274 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 about Physics at SDSU
California State University - Northridge came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 27 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $7,103 for far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 California State University - Northridge Physics Report
University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.
UNLV did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNLV is $9,602 for far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UNLV Physics Report
University of Nevada - Reno came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Nevada - Reno is a large school located in Reno, Nevada that handed out 32 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
UNR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $12,399 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNR.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physics at University of Nevada - Reno
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 25 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Physics at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
California State University - Sacramento landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 23 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,055 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physics at Sac State
University of Oregon landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Eugene, Oregon, this large public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.
UO not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Oregon is $13,709 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 UO
University of California - Merced ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 26 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Merced did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $11,400 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Merced.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Physics at UC Merced
Washington State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wazzu is a large school located in Pullman, Washington that handed out 21 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Wazzu also took the #21 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $8,719 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wazzu.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physics at Washington State University
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #12 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $13,194 for far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
With a ranking of #25, Portland State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Portland State University is a large public school situated in Portland, Oregon. It awarded 27 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Portland State University has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,059 for Far Western US Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Portland State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physics at Portland State University
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