2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 Southeast region, there were 9,786 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,824 and $22,572 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,082 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 36 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physical sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physical sciences programs, but they also 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.
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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 for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid”.
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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Southeast Region (With Aid)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Florida is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 61 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UF also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130.
Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #2 spot on the list. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 69 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
NC State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at North Carolina State University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 54 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
USF Tampa also took the #23 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 68 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Florida State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at Florida State University
Florida International University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Florida International University is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 17 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at Florida International University
University of Central Florida came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCF is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657, but some majors have different tuition rates.
West Virginia University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Morgantown, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.
WVU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at West Virginia University are $26,154.
Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Boca Raton, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 33 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
University of Virginia also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia are $32,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Virginia
Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
Georgia Tech also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus are $31,334, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #12, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 36 students in 2019-2020.
UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #13, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Louisiana State University is a large public school situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It awarded 55 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are $29,970, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Physical Sciences at Louisiana State University
University of Alabama in Huntsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. This medium-sized school is located in Huntsville, Alabama, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
UAH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UAH are $25,386.
Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Alabama in Huntsville
William & Mary came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.
William & Mary also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800.
University of New Orleans ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. New Orleans, Louisiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Orleans are $13,678, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of New Orleans
With a ranking of #18, University of Southern Mississippi did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Miss are $10,896.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Southern Mississippi
University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are $21,055.
Read more about Physical Sciences at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of Memphis landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UofM is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Memphis are $14,202, but some majors have different tuition rates.
George Mason University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Fairfax, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.
GMU also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at GMU are $37,410, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Alabama at Birmingham ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UAB are $19,188, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of Kentucky came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.
UK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UK are $33,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Mississippi State University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Mississippi State University is a large public school situated in Mississippi State, Mississippi. It awarded 18 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Mississippi State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mississippi State are $23,950, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at Mississippi State University
University of Arkansas ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Arkansas is a large school located in Fayetteville, Arkansas that handed out 24 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
UARK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UARK are $22,121, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
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Best Physical Sciences Doctor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Physical Sciences students in the Southeast Region
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Physical Sciences students with family income $48-$75k in the Southeast Region
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Physical Sciences students with family income $75-$110k in the Southeast Region
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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