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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

49 Ranked Colleges
5,569 Degrees Awarded
$7,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that 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 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 bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 5,569 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,083 and $22,209 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 49 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

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 Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Stanford also took the #2 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $1,145 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stanford.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Stanford

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 459 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $7,467 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW Seattle.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UW Seattle

#3 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 Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 377 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $9,130 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low 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 University of California - Berkeley Physical Sciences Report

#4

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 50 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Caltech, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $3,756 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Caltech.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California Institute of Technology Physical Sciences Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 50 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,117 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Los Angeles

#19 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 98 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $6,100 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Fullerton

#7

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#5 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 188 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also took the #5 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,254 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, 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 96%.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Physical Sciences Report

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 255 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #8 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $10,373 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Irvine.

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 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UC Irvine

#9

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#4 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 330 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,895 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Physical Sciences Report

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#13 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 105 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $9,151 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 California - Riverside

#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#11 in overall quality

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 140 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $10,594 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physical Sciences at San Diego State University

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 97 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #22 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $7,595 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at California State University - Long Beach

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 39 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $3,880 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at CSUB

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 148 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $10,769 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 UC Davis

#9 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 366 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $9,974 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national 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 University of California - San Diego

#23 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 74 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $7,823 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Sac State

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 9 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,115 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Physical Sciences Report

#18

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 102 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $5,869 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 California State University - San Bernardino

#19

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #19, Washington State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wazzu is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 141 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Washington State University is $11,337 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 more about Physical Sciences at Washington State University

#18 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $10,347 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at CSUSM

#21

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington

Eastern Washington University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. EWU is a fairly large public school situated in Cheney, Washington. It awarded 30 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,821 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Washington University.

Full Eastern Washington University Physical Sciences Report

With a ranking of #22, University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNLV is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 62 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UNLV is $9,880 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UNLV

California State University - Fresno landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 55 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $3,731 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 Fresno State

#24

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, Oregon

Southern Oregon University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southern Oregon University is a medium-sized public school situated in Ashland, Oregon. It awarded 14 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,270 for far western us region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southern Oregon University.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Southern Oregon University

#25

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 206 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,793 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

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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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