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2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

33 Ranked Colleges
1,231 Degrees Awarded
$27,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 52,879 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $38,122 and had an average of $22,339 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 11,783 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,974 and $20,331 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,231 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 33 colleges that offer a degree in physical sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physical sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Caltech

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 63 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Stanford

#4 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 #3 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 81 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UC Berkeley

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 87 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” 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 Physical Sciences at UCLA

#25 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 19 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Physical Sciences Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 91 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Physical Sciences Report

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 28 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State Fullerton Physical Sciences Report

#11 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 54 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UCR

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 43 diplomas to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. 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.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UC Irvine

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 30 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State University - Long Beach

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUB is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 9 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437.

Full CSUB Physical Sciences Report

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at SDSU

#13

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 38 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” 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 full report on Physical Sciences at UCSB

California State University - Fresno came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fresno Physical Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 40 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Davis

#24 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Sac State

#7 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 118 students in 2019-2020.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - San Diego

#18

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Western Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WWU is located in Bellingham, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

WWU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WWU are $24,105.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Western Washington University

#22 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 10 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

#20

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#14 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 29 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Physical Sciences Report

University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UNLV also took the #0 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNLV are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#21 in overall quality

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 11 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Merced did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Merced

#23

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Washington State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Washington State University is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 8 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Wazzu also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wazzu are $27,561, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Washington State University

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, University of Nevada - Reno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNR is a large school located in Reno, Nevada that handed out 25 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNR are $21,971.

Full UNR Physical Sciences Report

#25

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#20 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, SFSU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Read more about Physical Sciences at SFSU

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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

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to NASA.

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