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2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s

202 Ranked Colleges
6,971 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master's

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 6,971 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s” ranking, we looked at 202 colleges that offer a degree in physical sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physical sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 for a Master’s

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences

Out of the 202 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #1 spot on the list. SIUE is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s. Provo, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at BYU are $7,510.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo Physical Sciences Report

#3

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Illinois State Physical Sciences Report

Out of the 202 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin landed the #4 spot on the list. Odessa, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin are $6,900, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

#5

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern Mississippi. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s. Located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, this fairly large public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern Mississippi are $10,896, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Southern Miss

#6

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #6. University of Wyoming is a fairly large school located in Laramie, Wyoming that handed out 25 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wyoming are $16,615, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wyoming Physical Sciences Report

#7

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 23 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Western Illinois University

Top 15% in overall quality

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. Texas A&M University - College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 76 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Texas A&M College Station is also in the top of our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Physical Sciences Report

#9

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. University of Houston is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UH

#18 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 51 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. Missouri State is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Physical Sciences Report

#12

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of North Texas

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, Oklahoma and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#14

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. Wichita Falls, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at MSU Texas

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #15. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a small school located in Rapid City, South Dakota that handed out 8 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SD Mines are $19,250, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

#16

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. Texas Tech is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530.

Full Texas Tech Physical Sciences Report

#17

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#20 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 75 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Full UMN Twin Cities Physical Sciences Report

California State University - Long Beach landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 30 masters’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 California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Full CSULB Physical Sciences Report

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UT Rio Grande Valley

#20

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Northern Illinois University

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UT Austin

University of Akron Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Akron, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 39 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Physical Sciences Report

#23

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. University of Utah is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 masters’s 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 Utah are $24,695.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Utah

University of Nevada - Reno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #24. UNR is a large public school situated in Reno, Nevada. It awarded 25 masters’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 UNR are $21,971.

Full UNR Physical Sciences Report

#25

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

With a ranking of #25, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. Texas State is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Texas State

Rest of the Best 31 in Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s

Not only did these schools make the top 31 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#28

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#30

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana

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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