2023 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $75-$110k) in California
20
Ranked Colleges
3,224
Degrees Awarded
$18,400
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” 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 California, there were 3,224 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,268 and $18,506 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k.
Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $75-$110k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 85 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physics Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $13,623 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%.
Read full report on Physics at Stanford University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physics degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Caltech, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Institute of Technology is $20,010 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Physics at Caltech
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physics Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $20,697 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, 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 96%.
Read more about Physics at University of California - Los Angeles
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 90 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $18,728 for california physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UC Davis.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, 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 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Davis Physics Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Physics Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $10,011 for california physics students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 California State University - Los Angeles
University of California - San Diego ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 82 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD also made our “Best Physics Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $20,906 for california physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UCSD.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Physics at UCSD
California State University - Long Beach ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Long Beach 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 #12 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,101 for california physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend CSULB.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 - Long Beach
University of California - Berkeley came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 197 students in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Physics Schools in California” list. It costs about $21,601 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UC Berkeley.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of California - Berkeley Physics Report
University of California - Irvine ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 122 students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best Physics Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $20,567 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UC Irvine.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physics at UC Irvine
With a ranking of #10, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Physics Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $12,977 for california physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about Physics at California State University - Fullerton
With a ranking of #11, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 199 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.
UCSB also made our “Best Physics Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $21,581 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 more about Physics at University of California - Santa Barbara
With a ranking of #12, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 83 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california physics students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCR has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,887 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UCR.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physics at University of California - Riverside
San Diego State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 18 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california physics students whose families make $75-$110k list, SDSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $18,957 for california physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend San Diego State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Physics at SDSU
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 27 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,380 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend CSUN.
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%.
Read more about Physics at CSUN
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 25 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Physics Schools in California” list. It costs about $18,166 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.
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 full report on Physics at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 95 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $22,380 for california physics students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physics at University of California - Santa Cruz
California State University - Sacramento ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $16,925 for california physics students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Full Sac State Physics Report
With a ranking of #18, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Physics Schools in California” list. It costs about $22,744 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Physics Report
University of California - Merced ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.
UC Merced also made our “Best Physics Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend UC Merced is $19,795 for california physics students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Physics at UC Merced
Humboldt State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Humboldt State University, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $20,326 for California Physics students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read more about Physics at Humboldt State University
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