2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general physics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for general physics students.
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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Southeast Region
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 University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $18,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,826. That is a strong return on a $18,138 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $19,200. Early-career general physics graduates make about $62,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $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.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #6 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,831 in student loans. 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%.
Florida State University earned the #7 position for value in general physics this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $20,765. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Set against $20,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia landed the #8 spot for general physics value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $21,439. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #9 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. General Physics graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #10 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $28,750. General Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $70,150 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #11 among the best values for general physics. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. General Physics graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $43,575. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
West Virginia University landed the #12 spot for general physics value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Davidson College placed #13 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,430. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University placed #14 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,529. General Physics graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Appalachian State University landed the #15 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $22,096 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $79,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $23,490 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Georgia State University came in at #17 for value in general physics this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $31,001. That is a strong return on a $26,296 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #18 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,797. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $62,903. That is a strong return on a $24,797 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
College Of William And Mary placed #19 among the best values for general physics. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $20,000. Early-career general physics graduates make about $53,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas landed the #20 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #21 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $49,718. Set against $21,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #22 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $25,344. General Physics graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
West Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buckhannon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,090. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $47,784. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia Wesleyan College admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #24 for value in general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University placed #25 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,783. General Physics graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value General Physics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general physics:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
