2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in North Carolina

[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for general physics students.
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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Physics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in general physics in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. General Physics graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $62,647. Set against $19,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned it the #2 place for general physics. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Appalachian State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $22,096 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $79,066. Set against $22,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $23,490 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $43,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Davidson College earned it the #5 place for general physics. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $19,906. Early-career general physics graduates make about $41,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University placed #6 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. General Physics graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.