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2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region

166 Ranked Colleges
2,881 Degrees Awarded
$27,900 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 50,306 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $39,880 and had an average of $22,620 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,881 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,796 and $23,945 respectively.

For this year’s “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 166 colleges that offer a degree in physical sciences. To top this list, a school must have a successful physical sciences program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region”.

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 343 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

2
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 132 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Iowa

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 129 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa State Physical Sciences Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 116 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full WUSTL Physical Sciences Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Kansas City. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 114 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

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

6
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Kansas Physical Sciences Report

7

With a ranking of #7, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 119 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Physical Sciences Report

8

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #8. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Mizzou Physical Sciences Report

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 88 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad 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%. 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 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Physical Sciences Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 84 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UMN Duluth

11
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Carleton College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Northfield, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 61 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Carleton College Physical Sciences Report

11

Missouri University of Science and Technology came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Rolla, Missouri, and it awarded 61 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology

13
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at K -State

14
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Northfield, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full St Olaf College Physical Sciences Report

15
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Creighton University is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Creighton University

16
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 40 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UND

17
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. SLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full SLU Physical Sciences Report

18
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, this medium-sized public school handed out 36 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad 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%.

Full USD Physical Sciences Report

19

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. North Dakota State University is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

20

Pittsburg State University ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Pittsburg State University is located in Pittsburg, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Pitt State

21

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #21. SD Mines is located in Rapid City, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

21
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

With a ranking of #21, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. South Dakota State is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at South Dakota State University

23
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #23. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at St. Cloud State University

23

Fort Hays State University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. FHSU is located in Hays, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Fort Hays State University

25

With a ranking of #25, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Northwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Maryville, Missouri. It awarded 32 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Northwest Missouri State University

25
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 31 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, 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 88%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Truman State

25
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, 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 85%.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Physical Sciences Report

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