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2022 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

26 Ranked Colleges
1,185 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the physics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physics Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Rio Grande Valley, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $6,405 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Read full report on Physics at UT Rio Grande Valley

#2

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Arizona landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 158 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

University of Arizona also took the #2 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $15,399 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physics at University of Arizona

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #3 spot on the list. The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 118 ’s 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. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $15,757 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UT Austin Physics Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UTSA is $13,827 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Physics at The University of Texas at San Antonio

#5

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas State is located in San Marcos, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $14,250 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Texas State.

Read full report on Physics at Texas State University

#6

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

With a ranking of #6, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech is $17,421 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Full Texas Tech Physics Report

The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. The University of Texas at Dallas is a large school located in Richardson, Texas that handed out 57 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,797 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend The University of Texas at Dallas.

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 more about Physics at The University of Texas at Dallas

#8

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UH is $12,505 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Physics at University of Houston

New Mexico State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, this fairly large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for NMSU Main Campus is $10,235 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full NMSU Main Campus Physics Report

#10

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

With a ranking of #10, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNT is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNT is $15,377 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UNT Physics Report

#11

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 65 students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M College Station is $18,810 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Physics at Texas A&M College Station

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, OSU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $14,698 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend OSU.

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

Read full report on Physics at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 73 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Tempe is $14,033 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full ASU - Tempe Physics Report

The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. 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. It costs about $10,786 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UTEP.

Read more about Physics at UTEP

#15

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oklahoma City Community College is a fairly large school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that handed out 3 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,503 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Oklahoma City Community College.

Read more about Physics at Oklahoma City Community College

The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large school located in Arlington, Texas that handed out 33 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Arlington, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $14,622 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend The University of Texas at Arlington.

Read more about Physics at The University of Texas at Arlington

#17

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, SHSU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sam Houston State University is $14,832 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Physics at SHSU

#18

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Northern Arizona University is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s 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 $12,675 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Northern Arizona University Physics Report

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Stephen F Austin State University is a fairly large school located in Nacogdoches, Texas that handed out 3 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, SFASU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SFASU is $13,644 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Physics at SFASU

With a ranking of #20, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, University of Oklahoma has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $21,812 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Oklahoma.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Physics at University of Oklahoma

#21

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

With a ranking of #21, Tarleton State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Tarleton State University is a public institution located in Stephenville, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tarleton State University is $19,542 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Physics at Tarleton State University

#22

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for University of New Mexico - Main Campus is $16,557 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Physics at University of New Mexico - Main Campus

#23

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

With a ranking of #23, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Baylor University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Waco, Texas. It awarded 13 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Baylor has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Baylor is $31,343 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, 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 Baylor

#24

Texas Southern University

Houston, Texas

Texas Southern University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Houston, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, TSU has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $24,201 for Southwest Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend TSU.

Read more about Physics at Texas Southern University

#25

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend TCU is $29,929 for southwest region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full TCU Physics Report

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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