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2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

27 Ranked Colleges
2,290 Degrees Awarded
$35,917 Avg Salary
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Physical Sciences is the 18th most popular major in the country with 52,879 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 Plains States region, there were 3,094 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,917 and $23,900 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 2,290 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a public institution located in Rolla, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 68 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Missouri University of Science and Technology has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,058 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 full report on Physical Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 206 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $12,556 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Physical Sciences Report

#20 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This small school is located in Morris, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Morris also took the #20 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,558 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMN Morris.

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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Minnesota - Morris

#4

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Olaf College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Northfield, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

St. Olaf also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Olaf is $17,577 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physical Sciences at St. Olaf

#5

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Truman State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Truman State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $12,031 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Truman State

#7 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 78 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $13,145 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Missouri - Columbia

#14 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,438 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMN Duluth.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Duluth Physical Sciences Report

#8

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#23 in overall quality

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 22 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,894 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMSL.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UMSL

#15 in overall quality

Iowa State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 85 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $14,161 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Iowa State University

#10

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#11 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $15,729 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Physical Sciences Report

#22 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Northwest has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $11,988 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Northwest Missouri State University

#12

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,340 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Lindenwood University

#13

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. K -State is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 63 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $16,889 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Kansas State University

#14

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Concordia College at Moorhead did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia College Moorhead, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia College Moorhead is $20,924 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Concordia College Moorhead

#15

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 105 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMKC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City is $14,571 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Missouri - Kansas City

Fort Hays State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. FHSU is a fairly large public school situated in Hays, Kansas. It awarded 27 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Fort Hays State University is $12,549 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full FHSU Physical Sciences Report

#17

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#16 in overall quality

University of Kansas landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. KU is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 76 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

KU also made our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for KU is $17,132 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at KU

#18

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Hamline University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Hamline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Hamline is $18,963 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Hamline University

#9 in overall quality

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, this small public school awarded 27 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, SD Mines has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $20,299 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full SD Mines Physical Sciences Report

#20

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

With a ranking of #20, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 28 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,386 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wichita State University.

Full Wichita State University Physical Sciences Report

#24 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school handed out 43 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Missouri State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $16,204 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Missouri State.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Missouri State

#22

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#25 in overall quality

Metropolitan State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 16 degrees to qualified bachelors’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Metro State has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan State University is $15,869 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Metropolitan State University

#23

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
#17 in overall quality

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Gustavus Adolphus is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Peter, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Gustavus Adolphus has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus is $14,548 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 Gustavus Adolphus Physical Sciences Report

#24

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s physical sciences degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

Bethel University Minnesota did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bethel University Minnesota is $22,228 for plains states region bachelor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Physical Sciences Report

#25

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
#6 in overall quality

Luther College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Luther is a small school located in Decorah, Iowa that handed out 13 bachelors’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Luther not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,852 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Luther.

The low student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 Luther Physical Sciences Report

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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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