2027 Best Value General Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 187 schools to find the best return on investment for general physics students.
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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Physics Schools
For return on investment in general physics, no school beat Princeton University this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $10,888. Early-career general physics graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for general physics. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. General Physics graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $57,114. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Utah Valley University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. General Physics graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. General Physics graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for value in general physics this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $18,138. General Physics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $55,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #7 for value in general physics this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $62,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University placed #8 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #9 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $20,765 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Set against $20,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for general physics. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $22,750. Early-career general physics graduates make about $46,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #11 for value in general physics this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #12 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $21,831 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of California San Diego ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,800 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $48,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Florida International University placed #14 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach placed #15 among the best values for general physics. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,229 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $42,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $60,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #17 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,000. Early-career general physics graduates make about $64,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earned the #18 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $64,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #19 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,492. General Physics graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
San Francisco State University landed the #20 spot for general physics value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. General Physics graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $49,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $15,508 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $50,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Merced landed the #22 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. General Physics graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. General Physics graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #23 for value in general physics this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #24 position for value in general physics this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $53,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia landed the #25 spot for general physics value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Physics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general physics value ranking:
Other General Physics Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general physics schools at other degree levels:
View All General Physics Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 187 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 187 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
