Best Biological and Physical Sciences Programs in the South
Updated
This page ranks the 89 Biological and Physical Sciences programs in the South by median earnings of Biological and Physical Sciences graduates four years after completing, highest first. University of Richmond leads the list at $90,369, followed by Vanderbilt University at $86,559 and American University at $76,552.
Across the listed schools, the median earnings figure is $53,357, with a range from $90,369 to $13,702. For 13 of the 89 programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 63 of the programs and private nonprofits for 26. Texas A & M International University posts the lowest average net price on the page at $3,637.
The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally, the best showing on this list.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Richmond · University Of Richmond, VA | $90,369 | $31,309 | $12,808 | 22.2% |
| University of Richmond ranks 1st on this list and reports an average net price of $31,309. | |||||
| 2 | Vanderbilt University · Nashville, TN | $86,559 | $15,846 | $3,414 | 5.9% |
| Vanderbilt University admits 6% of applicants and carries a median federal debt of $12,000 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 3 | American University · Washington, DC | $76,552 | $41,943 | $23,233 | 62.0% |
| American University, a private nonprofit university in Washington, has an average net price of $23,233 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 4 | William & Mary · Williamsburg, VA | $70,523 | $19,096 | $3,106 | 34.1% |
| William & Mary ranks 197th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows a median federal debt of $18,000 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 5 | University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA | $66,350 | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus reports an admission rate of 17% and an average net price of $21,565. | |||||
| 6 | Rogers State University · Claremore, OK | $66,130 | $15,314 | $13,714 | Not reported |
| Rogers State University ranks 6th on this list and carries a median federal debt of $23,442 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 7 | Loyola University Maryland · Baltimore, MD | $63,683 | $30,574 | $20,549 | 75.5% |
| Loyola University Maryland has an average net price of $20,549 for families earning under $30,000 and an admission rate of 75%. | |||||
| 8 | Christopher Newport University · Newport News, VA | $62,828 | $23,015 | $12,461 | 86.0% |
| Christopher Newport University ranks 922nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a median federal debt of $23,248 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 9 | Texas Southern University · Houston, TX | $62,728 | $16,590 | $16,437 | 96.9% |
| Texas Southern University, a public university in Houston, admits 97% of applicants and has an average net price of $16,590. | |||||
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Pembroke, NC | $62,355 | $10,260 | $7,919 | 93.3% |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke ranks 10th on this list and carries a median federal debt of $30,913 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 11 | Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA | $61,395 | $23,433 | $17,512 | 92.6% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University reports $61,395 in median earnings for its Biological and Physical Sciences graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 93%. | |||||
| 12 | University of Houston-Downtown · Houston, TX | $59,924 | $10,542 | $9,439 | 90.0% |
| University of Houston-Downtown has an average net price of $9,439 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 73rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 13 | Austin College · Sherman, TX | $58,913 | $21,107 | $16,528 | 47.7% |
| Austin College, a private nonprofit university in Sherman, admits 48% of applicants and posts an average net price of $21,107. | |||||
| 14 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $58,705 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| University of Houston reports a median federal debt of $18,634 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed, alongside an average net price of $14,276. | |||||
| 15 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $58,697 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| With 688 graduates in the earnings cohort, Texas A&M University-College Station ranks 25th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 16 | University of North Texas at Dallas · Dallas, TX | $58,293 | $6,420 | $4,713 | 84.5% |
| University of North Texas at Dallas carries an average net price of $6,420 and a school-wide median federal debt of $18,606 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 17 | University of Georgia · Athens, GA | $58,123 | $13,936 | $8,085 | 37.7% |
| Ranking 95th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, University of Georgia reports $58,123 in median earnings for its Biological and Physical Sciences graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $58,004 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
| University of North Texas admits 72% of applicants and shows an average net price of $12,311 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 19 | The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, TX | $57,864 | $18,267 | $12,814 | 65.1% |
| The University of Texas at Dallas lists a median federal debt of $20,500 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed, alongside an admission rate of 65%. | |||||
| 20 | Belmont University · Nashville, TN | $57,644 | $33,147 | $22,950 | 95.3% |
| A private nonprofit university in Nashville, Belmont University posts an average net price of $33,147 and an admission rate of 95%. | |||||
| 21 | Northeastern State University · Tahlequah, OK | $57,549 | $12,710 | $10,598 | 99.6% |
| Northeastern State University reports a median federal debt of $19,297 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed, with an average net price of $10,598 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 22 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $57,262 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
| Ranking 86th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, Texas Tech University shows 195 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 23 | Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX | $57,212 | $13,570 | $12,120 | 79.3% |
| Prairie View A & M University admits 79% of applicants and carries an average net price of $13,570, alongside a median federal debt of $30,039 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 24 | University of Houston-Clear Lake · Houston, TX | $57,065 | $15,563 | $7,330 | 90.5% |
| With an average net price of $7,330 for families earning under $30,000, University of Houston-Clear Lake reports 238 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 25 | The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX | $56,782 | $13,951 | $11,893 | 79.9% |
| The University of Texas at Arlington admits 80% of applicants and carries an average net price of $13,951. | |||||
| 26 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock · Little Rock, AR | $56,650 | $17,248 | $15,195 | 58.8% |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock reports a median federal debt of $16,602 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed, alongside an average net price of $15,195 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 27 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX | $56,493 | $4,831 | $3,785 | 94.2% |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranks 11th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $4,831. | |||||
| 28 | Middle Tennessee State University · Murfreesboro, TN | $56,293 | $13,359 | $9,289 | 69.1% |
| Middle Tennessee State University reports $56,293 in median earnings for its Biological and Physical Sciences graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 49 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 29 | Sam Houston State University · Huntsville, TX | $56,225 | $16,404 | $12,474 | 90.3% |
| Sam Houston State University carries a median federal debt of $25,000 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed and an admission rate of 90%. | |||||
| 30 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · Knoxville, TN | $56,155 | $18,976 | $10,029 | 41.6% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville admits 42% of applicants and posts an average net price of $10,029 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 31 | Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA | $55,889 | $14,638 | $9,739 | 90.4% |
| Old Dominion University ranks 154th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a median federal debt of $25,000 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 32 | Dallas Baptist University · Dallas, TX | $55,690 | $28,516 | $25,326 | 88.8% |
| Dallas Baptist University, a private nonprofit university in Dallas, reports an average net price of $28,516 and a median federal debt of $22,375 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 33 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville · Kingsville, TX | $55,231 | $12,090 | $10,207 | 90.9% |
| Texas A&M University-Kingsville admits 91% of applicants and carries an average net price of $10,207 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 34 | Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, GA | $54,915 | $15,048 | $12,235 | 69.2% |
| Kennesaw State University ranks 24th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows a median federal debt of $24,340 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 35 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $54,816 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
| The University of Texas at Austin admits 27% of applicants and posts an average net price of $12,553 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 36 | Stevenson University · Owings Mills, MD | $54,463 | $26,505 | $15,894 | 78.9% |
| Stevenson University reports a median federal debt of $29,046 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed, alongside an average net price of $26,505. | |||||
| 37 | Texas Wesleyan University · Fort Worth, TX | $54,415 | $24,066 | $21,812 | 69.2% |
| Texas Wesleyan University admits 69% of applicants and carries an average net price of $24,066. | |||||
| 38 | Lamar University · Beaumont, TX | $54,116 | $9,366 | $7,568 | 86.4% |
| Lamar University reports an average net price of $9,366, with a median federal debt of $24,750 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 39 | East Texas A&M University · Commerce, TX | $54,059 | $11,841 | $9,709 | 92.2% |
| East Texas A&M University ranks 185th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows a median federal debt of $18,767 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 40 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $54,053 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| Texas State University has an admission rate of 89% and an average net price of $12,715 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 41 | Texas A&M University-San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $54,006 | $11,196 | $9,596 | 92.8% |
| An average net price of $11,196 and a median federal debt of $18,000 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed are reported by Texas A&M University-San Antonio. | |||||
| 42 | Texas A&M University-Victoria · Victoria, TX | $53,837 | $8,109 | $5,317 | 95.9% |
| Texas A&M University-Victoria carries an average net price of $5,317 for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 362nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 43 | West Virginia University · Morgantown, WV | $53,836 | $15,634 | $9,450 | 89.0% |
| West Virginia University admits 89% of applicants and reports a median federal debt of $23,677 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 44 | Tarleton State University · Stephenville, TX | $53,503 | $20,783 | $15,574 | 89.6% |
| Tarleton State University ranks 293rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $20,783. | |||||
| 45 | Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA | $53,357 | $29,357 | $30,667 | 99.0% |
| Liberty University reports a median federal debt of $20,832 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed and an average net price of $30,667 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 46 | Emory University · Atlanta, GA | $53,108 | $22,585 | $7,363 | 10.7% |
| Emory University admits 11% of applicants and carries an average net price of $7,363 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 47 | Tulane University of Louisiana · New Orleans, LA | $52,535 | $39,949 | $16,126 | 14.0% |
| Tulane University of Louisiana reports a median federal debt of $19,250 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed and an average net price of $39,949. | |||||
| 48 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi, TX | $52,078 | $15,225 | $11,445 | 88.6% |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi ranks 310th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $11,445 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 49 | University of North Alabama · Florence, AL | $52,044 | $12,170 | $9,741 | 87.3% |
| A public university in Florence, University of North Alabama reports an average net price of $12,170 and lists 54 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 50 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $50,633 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| The University of Florida admits 24% of applicants and posts an average net price of $6,541. | |||||
| 51 | Georgia State University · Atlanta, GA | $50,632 | $15,931 | $13,787 | 55.4% |
| Ranking 51st on this list, Georgia State University shows 374 graduates in the earnings cohort and a 55% admission rate. | |||||
| 52 | Southern University and A & M College · Baton Rouge, LA | $50,616 | $20,077 | $19,047 | 35.1% |
| With 16 graduates in the earnings cohort, Southern University and A & M College posts a median federal debt of $36,603 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 53 | Radford University · Radford, VA | $50,057 | $14,578 | $8,965 | 89.5% |
| An average net price of $8,965 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with Radford University, which admits 90% of applicants. | |||||
| 54 | Stephen F Austin State University · Nacogdoches, TX | $50,052 | $14,260 | $10,318 | 94.0% |
| A public university in Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University admits 94% of applicants and lists 278 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 55 | University of Memphis · Memphis, TN | $49,707 | $12,397 | $10,607 | 72.0% |
| Its 72% admission rate accompanies University of Memphis, which ranks 55th on this list and reports an average net price of $12,397. | |||||
| 56 | West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX | $49,241 | $19,487 | $16,525 | 98.7% |
| With 154 graduates in the earnings cohort, West Texas A & M University reports a median federal debt of $19,500 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 57 | Sul Ross State University · Alpine, TX | $49,184 | $13,286 | $11,110 | 98.7% |
| Ranking 57th on this list, Sul Ross State University posts an average net price of $11,110 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 58 | University of New Orleans · New Orleans, LA | $49,023 | $12,384 | $11,532 | 74.3% |
| With 80 graduates in the earnings cohort, University of New Orleans reports an average net price of $12,384. | |||||
| 59 | Texas A & M International University · Laredo, TX | $48,990 | $3,637 | $3,097 | 44.4% |
| An average net price of $3,637 accompanies Texas A & M International University, which admits 44% of applicants. | |||||
| 60 | Midwestern State University · Wichita Falls, TX | $48,989 | $11,656 | $8,856 | 93.5% |
| A median federal debt of $21,625 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed coincides with Midwestern State University, which ranks 60th on this list. | |||||
| 61 | The University of Texas at Tyler · Tyler, TX | $48,369 | $13,323 | $10,307 | 94.0% |
| The University of Texas at Tyler ranks 61st on this list and reports an average net price of $10,307 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 62 | Cameron University · Lawton, OK | $47,260 | $10,912 | $8,752 | Not reported |
| Cameron University, a public university in Lawton, reports an average net price of $10,912 and has 10 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 63 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College · Baton Rouge, LA | $47,176 | $19,151 | $13,056 | 73.3% |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College places 81st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside a median federal debt of $21,130 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 64 | Oklahoma Baptist University · Shawnee, OK | $47,162 | $20,958 | $17,562 | 49.4% |
| Oklahoma Baptist University, a private nonprofit university in Shawnee, reports a school-wide median federal debt of $24,801 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 65 | Texas A&M University-Texarkana · Texarkana, TX | $47,135 | $12,997 | $11,002 | 63.5% |
| Texas A&M University-Texarkana ranks 65th on this list and shows an average net price of $11,002 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 66 | LeTourneau University · Longview, TX | $46,286 | $28,185 | $22,785 | 38.0% |
| LeTourneau University admits 38% of applicants and carries a median federal debt of $22,656 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 67 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore · Princess Anne, MD | $45,876 | $13,338 | $9,914 | 96.4% |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore places 572nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $13,338. | |||||
| 68 | Baylor University · Waco, TX | $44,995 | $41,104 | $22,024 | 51.3% |
| Baylor University reports an average net price of $22,024 for families earning under $30,000 and a median federal debt of $19,500 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 69 | McMurry University · Abilene, TX | $44,668 | $19,581 | $15,946 | 57.0% |
| McMurry University, a private nonprofit university in Abilene, reports a school-wide median federal debt of $27,000 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 70 | The University of Texas Permian Basin · Odessa, TX | $44,356 | $12,723 | $11,930 | 94.9% |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin ranks 70th on this list and places 298th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 71 | Angelo State University · San Angelo, TX | $44,296 | $15,091 | $12,008 | 83.0% |
| Angelo State University admits 83% of applicants and carries a median federal debt of $21,196 among Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 72 | Nicholls State University · Thibodaux, LA | $43,992 | $12,947 | $10,714 | 90.8% |
| Nicholls State University reports an average net price of $10,714 for families earning under $30,000 and places 580th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 73 | Louisiana Tech University · Ruston, LA | $42,822 | $11,864 | $7,676 | 86.4% |
| Louisiana Tech University ranks 73rd on this list and reports an average net price of $11,864 alongside an admission rate of 86%. | |||||
| 74 | Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS | $42,399 | $17,595 | $14,332 | 77.6% |
| Mississippi State University admits 78% of applicants and its Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed left with a median of $22,512 in federal loans. | |||||
| 75 | New College of Florida · Sarasota, FL | $41,759 | $7,195 | $3,591 | 73.2% |
| New College of Florida posts median earnings of $41,759 for its Biological and Physical Sciences graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $7,195. | |||||
| 76 | University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS | $40,707 | $21,708 | $19,867 | 99.1% |
| University of Southern Mississippi has an admission rate of 99% and a median federal debt of $22,500 across all of the school's borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 77 | East Texas Baptist University · Marshall, TX | $40,577 | $23,911 | $20,420 | 57.8% |
| East Texas Baptist University, a private nonprofit university in Marshall, reports an average net price of $23,911 and an admission rate of 58%. | |||||
| 78 | University of West Alabama · Livingston, AL | $40,455 | $12,684 | $12,179 | 42.7% |
| University of West Alabama ranks 78th on this list and its Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed left with a median of $27,000 in federal loans. | |||||
| 79 | McDaniel College · Westminster, MD | $39,009 | $21,916 | $12,210 | 77.9% |
| McDaniel College reports an average net price of $21,916 and an admission rate of 78%, with 10 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 80 | Alabama State University · Montgomery, AL | $37,576 | $20,435 | $19,711 | 97.6% |
| Alabama State University admits 98% of applicants and its Biological and Physical Sciences completers who borrowed left with a median of $22,388 in federal loans. | |||||
| 81 | Freed-Hardeman University · Henderson, TN | $36,668 | $21,574 | $20,988 | 59.7% |
| Freed-Hardeman University reports an average net price of $21,574 and an admission rate of 60%, with 6 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 82 | Bluefield University · Bluefield, VA | $35,060 | $25,573 | $25,807 | 59.3% |
| Bluefield University ranks 82nd on this list and reports an average net price of $25,573 alongside an admission rate of 59%. | |||||
| 83 | Belhaven University · Jackson, MS | $33,993 | $15,676 | $10,551 | 49.8% |
| Belhaven University admits 50% of applicants and reports an average net price of $15,676, with 10 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 84 | Towson University · Towson, MD | $30,988 | $17,413 | $6,962 | 82.0% |
| Towson University reports an average net price of $17,413 and an admission rate of 82%, with 26 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 85 | Notre Dame of Maryland University · Baltimore, MD | $28,212 | $19,169 | $11,843 | 82.2% |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University ranks 85th on this list and reports an average net price of $11,843 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 86 | Georgetown University · Washington, DC | $27,476 | $40,815 | $5,064 | 12.9% |
| Georgetown University reports median earnings of $27,476 for its Biological and Physical Sciences graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 13%. | |||||
| 87 | Bennett College · Greensboro, NC | $21,964 | $28,299 | $27,576 | 50.7% |
| Bennett College admits 51% of applicants and carries an average net price of $28,299. | |||||
| 88 | Kentucky Christian University · Grayson, KY | $19,749 | $24,038 | $23,241 | 60.9% |
| Kentucky Christian University ranks 1334th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 61% of applicants. | |||||
| 89 | Berea College · Berea, KY | $13,702 | $6,106 | $5,428 | 19.3% |
| Berea College posts an admission rate of 19% and an average net price of $5,428 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Biological and Physical Sciences graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure covers federally aided completers of the program who were working and not enrolled. For 13 of the 89 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The spread from top to bottom is $76,667, from University of Richmond to the lowest-ranked program.
Related rankings
- Biological and Physical Sciences Programs
- Best Colleges in the South
- Biological and Physical Sciences Programs in the Midwest
- Biological and Physical Sciences Programs in the Northeast
- Biological and Physical Sciences Programs in the West
- Interdisciplinary Studies Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
- Interdisciplinary Studies Colleges in the South