Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in California

17 Ranked Colleges
251 Degrees Awarded
$29,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Physics is the 67th most popular major in the country with 14,123 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 California, there were 3,131 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,486 and $19,317 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 251 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 17 colleges that offered a degree in physics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physics programs and cost less that 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physics Schools

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 Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 17 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

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 Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stanford University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 23 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Stanford University

#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Riverside. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCR Physics Report

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Cal State LA also took the #15 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at California State University - Los Angeles

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UC Berkeley

#5

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Caltech has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. 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 Caltech

#12 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Full California State University - Fullerton Physics Report

#7

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 19 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#10 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 19 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784.

Read more about Physics at CSULB

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at UC Irvine

#10

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSB Physics Report

#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego State University is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 4 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, SDSU has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Diego State University Physics Report

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 16 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Davis Physics Report

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581.

Read more about Physics at California State University - Fresno

#9 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - San Diego Physics Report

#13 in overall quality

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. University of California - Merced is located in Merced, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UC Merced did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. 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.

Full University of California - Merced Physics Report

#16

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#11 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of California - Santa Cruz

#17

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at San Francisco State University

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