2022 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region
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 in the Southwest 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 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 $30-$48k” 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.
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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a large school located in Edinburg, Texas that handed out 72 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
UT Rio Grande Valley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $3,473 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Texas. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 95 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNT, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Texas is $9,082 for southwest region 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 85%.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Arizona. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 402 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
University of Arizona also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $11,466 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Arizona.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Arizona
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UT Permian Basin is a public institution located in Odessa, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Permian Basin, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,221 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Full The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Physical Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 357 students in 2019-2020.
Texas A&M College Station not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M College Station is $13,270 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full Texas A&M University - College Station Physical Sciences Report
The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 114 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UTSA has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,109 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio.
University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 200 students in 2019-2020.
UH also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend UH is $9,925 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Texas Tech University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.
Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $13,326 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas Tech.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. OCCC is a fairly large school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that handed out 17 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $5,981 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oklahoma City Community College.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at Oklahoma City Community College
Glendale Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Glendale, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 207 students in 2019-2020.
Glendale Community College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Glendale Community College is $8,465 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Physical Sciences at Glendale Community College
The University of Texas at Austin landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UT Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 402 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,575 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Austin.
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%.
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It awarded 66 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
OSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is $9,962 for Southwest Region 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 85%.
Mesa Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mesa Community College is located in Mesa, Arizona and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 198 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
Mesa Community College also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Mesa Community College is $9,317 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Arizona State University - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 254 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $8,921 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ASU - Tempe.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
With a ranking of #15, MSU Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 34 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.
MSU Texas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $8,554 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MSU Texas.
With a ranking of #16, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Marcos, Texas, and it awarded 49 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Texas State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas State University is $12,292 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. UT Dallas is located in Richardson, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 140 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Dallas has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,745 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Dallas.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas
New Mexico State University - Main Campus landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NMSU Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $7,006 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus.
The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 80 students in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for UTEP is $7,427 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Physical Sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso
With a ranking of #20, Southeastern Oklahoma State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a medium-sized school located in Durant, Oklahoma that handed out 12 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University is $6,704 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Physical Sciences at Southeastern Oklahoma State University
University of Houston - Downtown came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Houston, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.
UH Downtown also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for UH Downtown is $6,131 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a ranking of #22, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northern Arizona University is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 169 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $9,799 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NAU.
The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Arlington, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 115 students in 2019-2020.
UT Arlington also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend UT Arlington is $12,974 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Sam Houston State University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SHSU is a public institution located in Huntsville, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $11,634 for Southwest Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SHSU.
University of Central Oklahoma landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCO is located in Edmond, Oklahoma and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
UCO also took the #16 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCO is $13,381 for southwest region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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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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