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2022 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

38 Ranked Colleges
5,739 Degrees Awarded
$8,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 Southwest region, there were 5,739 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,953 and $20,144 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 38 colleges that offer 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.

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 physical sciences program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

The physical sciences school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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 Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

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

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 72 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UT Rio Grande Valley is $2,993 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UT Rio Grande Valley

#2

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k 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 402 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $10,562 for Southwest 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Arizona

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Texas. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UNT is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNT has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $8,521 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNT.

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 Physical Sciences at University of North Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M University - College Station is located in College Station, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 357 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M College Station is $11,454 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Texas A&M College Station

#5

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 154 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas Tech, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech University is $12,317 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Texas Tech Physical Sciences Report

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a medium-sized school located in Odessa, Texas that handed out 44 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Permian Basin also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Permian Basin is $7,889 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Physical Sciences Report

The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this large public school handed out 114 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

UTSA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UTSA is $10,516 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full The University of Texas at San Antonio Physical Sciences Report

#8

Glendale Community College

Glendale, Arizona

Glendale Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Glendale Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Glendale, Arizona. It awarded 207 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Glendale Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $7,729 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Glendale Community College.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Glendale Community College

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 402 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Austin has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $12,203 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UT Austin

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. ASU - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 254 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $7,044 for southwest 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 86%.

Full ASU - Tempe Physical Sciences Report

#11

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Oklahoma City Community College is $5,889 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Oklahoma City Community College Physical Sciences Report

#12

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 200 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UH is $10,203 for southwest 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.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Houston

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, this large public school handed out 66 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

OSU also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $8,669 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend OSU.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

#14

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona

With a ranking of #14, Mesa Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Mesa, Arizona, and it awarded 198 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Mesa Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $8,791 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mesa Community College.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Mesa Community College

#15

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. MSU Texas is a public institution located in Wichita Falls, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, MSU Texas has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MSU Texas is $7,703 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at MSU Texas

#16

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 49 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas State University is $11,125 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Texas State University

With a ranking of #17, The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Richardson, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 140 students in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for UT Dallas is $10,857 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 The University of Texas at Dallas

With a ranking of #18, Southeastern Oklahoma State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Durant, Oklahoma. It awarded 12 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,102 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Full Southeastern Oklahoma State University Physical Sciences Report

With a ranking of #19, The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 80 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at El Paso is $7,092 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full The University of Texas at El Paso Physical Sciences Report

New Mexico State University - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,896 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NMSU Main Campus.

Full NMSU Main Campus Physical Sciences Report

University of Houston - Downtown landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 40 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Downtown, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UH Downtown is $5,065 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UH Downtown Physical Sciences Report

#22

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school handed out 50 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,561 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SHSU.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at SHSU

University of Central Oklahoma ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCO is a public institution located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 45 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCO not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Central Oklahoma is $12,297 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UCO

#24

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and it awarded 169 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for NAU is $9,251 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at NAU

With a ranking of #25, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 115 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Arlington has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,811 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Arlington.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at The University of Texas at Arlington

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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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