2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in Pennsylvania

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Physics Schools
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among general physics schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $26,867. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Haverford College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Haverford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,966 ten years after entry. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for general physics. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. General Physics graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $74,352. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Temple University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $26,259. Early-career general physics graduates make about $54,642. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. General Physics graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. General Physics graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #6 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,529. General Physics graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,830 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $73,567. Set against $23,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. General Physics graduates carry a median of $30,847 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. Set against $30,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
More General Physics Rankings
View All General Physics Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.