2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region
24
Ranked Colleges
1,170
Degrees Awarded
$69,817
Avg Salary
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Physical Sciences is the 19th most popular major in the country with 49,473 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $40,118 and had an average of $21,983 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 10,789 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,747 and $18,600 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,170 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $76,633 and $152,837 respectively.
This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree in physical sciences. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their physical sciences program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.
See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region doctor’s degree physical sciences students.
Top 24 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Far Western US Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. California Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 74 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 99%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Caltech Physical Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 116 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at Stanford University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 142 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Physical Sciences at University of California - Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 88 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at UCSD
Out of the 24 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Alaska Fairbanks landed the #5 spot on the list. Fairbanks, Alaska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 5 students in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Alaska Fairbanks Physical Sciences Report
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 85 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at UCSB
University of California - Riverside came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 65 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2021-2022.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%.
Full UCR Physical Sciences Report
University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 75 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at UW Seattle
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #9 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 38 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.
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 undergrad 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 full report on Physical Sciences at UC Santa Cruz
With a ranking of #10, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 90 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at UCLA
University of Oregon ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. University of Oregon is a large school located in Eugene, Oregon that handed out 39 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad 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%.
Full UO Physical Sciences Report
University of California - Davis landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 73 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 full report on Physical Sciences at UC Davis
University of Nevada - Reno ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. University of Nevada - Reno is a large school located in Reno, Nevada that handed out 19 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Nevada - Reno Physical Sciences Report
University of California - Irvine landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 74 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, 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%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at UC Irvine
University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #15. UH Manoa is a fairly large school located in Honolulu, Hawaii that handed out 22 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at UH Manoa
Oregon State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in Corvallis, Oregon, and it awarded 43 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Oregon State Physical Sciences Report
University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #17. UC Merced is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 17 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of California - Merced
University of Southern California landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 53 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad 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 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Southern California
Washington State University ranked #19 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 20 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad 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 Washington State University
Portland State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Portland State University is a public institution located in Portland, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at Portland State University
University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #21. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 10 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad 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%.
Read more about Physical Sciences at UNLV
San Diego State University ranked #22 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full SDSU Physical Sciences Report
Naval Postgraduate School did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Monterey, California, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Physical Sciences at Naval Postgraduate School
With a ranking of #24, Loma Linda University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in the Far Western US Region list. Loma Linda University is located in Loma Linda, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Loma Linda University 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
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate 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.
