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2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

56 Ranked Colleges
9,420 Degrees Awarded
$8,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Physical Sciences is the 19th most popular major in the country with 50,306 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $39,880 and had an average of $22,620 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 9,420 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,772 and $23,221 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 56 colleges that offered a degree in physical sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physical sciences 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 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.

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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 Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 295 students in 2020-2021.

UF also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $65 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 UF Physical Sciences Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 314 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Physical Sciences Report

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Forest University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 49 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Forest University, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $10,401 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 Physical Sciences at Wake Forest University

4
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend William & Mary. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school situated in Williamsburg, Virginia. It awarded 120 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at William & Mary, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,972 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William & Mary.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at William & Mary

5
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

Out of the 56 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Virginia is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 241 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,476 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Virginia - Main Campus

6
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 216 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Florida State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $4,950 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 more about Physical Sciences at Florida State

7

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 170 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend USF Tampa is $4,176 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Physical Sciences at University of South Florida - Main Campus

8
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 194 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, NC State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $7,283 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, 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 full report on Physical Sciences at NC State

9
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 112 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UGA also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $8,303 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, 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 94%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UGA

10

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Louisiana State University is a public institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 146 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $11,318 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Physical Sciences Report

11
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 138 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Emory not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,538 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Emory University.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 Emory Physical Sciences Report

12

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Georgia Tech is a public institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 124 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $8,818 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Georgia Tech Physical Sciences Report

13

Florida International University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 214 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,196 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FIU.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Florida International University Physical Sciences Report

14
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

With a ranking of #14, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida Atlantic University is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FAU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $6,726 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Florida Atlantic University

15
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #15, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 205 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Physical Sciences Report

16
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 107 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $7,354 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, 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 86%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Appalachian State

17
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WVU is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 117 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WVU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Virginia University is $10,014 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at West Virginia University

18

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 153 students in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville also took the #17 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Knoxville is $10,433 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UT Knoxville

19
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WCU is a fairly large public school situated in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It awarded 70 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

WCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WCU is $9,305 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Western Carolina University

20
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Florida is $4,367 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Physical Sciences at University of North Florida

21
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Greenville, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 131 students in 2020-2021.

ECU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Carolina University is $11,260 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at ECU

22
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large school located in Highland Heights, Kentucky that handed out 39 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for NKU is $4,632 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Northern Kentucky University

23
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. UK is a large school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 114 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kentucky is $12,593 for Southeast Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Kentucky

24
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 243 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Mississippi State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mississippi State University is $13,025 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Full Mississippi State Physical Sciences Report

25

University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. University of North Carolina at Wilmington is located in Wilmington, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 129 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCW, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNCW is $11,710 for southeast region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UNCW

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