[Engineering Physics](/majors/engineering/engineering-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering physics students.
Finding the Best Value Engineering Physics School for You
The right engineering physics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Engineering Physics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Engineering Physics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for engineering physics in the United States. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the engineering physics program here. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering physics schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $14,238. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering physics, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $20,136 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $64,304. That is a strong return on a $20,136 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Murray State University landed the #6 spot for engineering physics value this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,521 to complete the engineering physics program here. Engineering Physics graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $58,025 early in their careers. Set against $19,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rice University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Chicago earned the #8 position for value in engineering physics this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
California Institute Of Technology earned the #9 position for value in engineering physics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,898. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.
Harvard University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for engineering physics. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Delaware State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,670, while out-of-state students pay about $20,634. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $31,000. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $54,210. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #13 position for value in engineering physics this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the engineering physics program here. Engineering Physics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Yale University placed #14 among the best values for engineering physics. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the engineering physics program here. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Oregon ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $98,640. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $20,373. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Cornell University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Engineering Physics graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #18 for value in engineering physics this year. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $21,500. Engineering Physics graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $72,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Biola University earned the #19 position for value in engineering physics this year. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the engineering physics program here. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Siena College came in at #20 for value in engineering physics this year. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,805. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $26,656 in student loans. Engineering Physics graduates of Siena College earn a median of $44,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Tufts University landed the #21 spot for engineering physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $68,678. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete the engineering physics program here. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $53,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach placed #23 among the best values for engineering physics. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,074. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $23,667. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $56,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University landed the #24 spot for engineering physics value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $25,643. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. That is a strong return on a $25,643 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
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).
[Engineering Physics](/majors/engineering/engineering-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
