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2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

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

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” 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 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 17 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physics Schools

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 for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree physics students with aid.

Top 17 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physics in California (With Aid)

#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Cal State LA

#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 Getting Aid. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 30 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCR Physics Report

#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Cal State Fullerton

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 19 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students with aid list, CSULB has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at CSULB

#5

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 23 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students with aid list, Stanford has also earned the #1 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 Stanford are $55,011.

Read more about Physics at Stanford

#6

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 19 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 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 UCLA are $28,131.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Physics Report

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 18 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 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 - Irvine are $28,456.

Full UC Irvine Physics Report

#8

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 21 masters’s physics degrees 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at UCSB

#3 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students with aid 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 UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at UC Berkeley

California State University - Fresno landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at California State University - Fresno

#10

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also took the #0 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at SDSU

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Merced, the school also landed the #13 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 University of California - Merced are $43,854.

Read full report on Physics at University of California - Merced

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Davis Physics Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 UCSD Physics Report

#15

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Francisco State University Physics Report

#16

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. California Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree physics students with aid list, Caltech has also earned the #2 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 Caltech are $56,649.

Read more about Physics at California Institute of Technology

#17

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. UC 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

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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