by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for general physics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Grinnell College earned the #1 spot for value among general physics schools in Iowa. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,154. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Set against $23,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #3 makes Coe College one of the best values for general physics. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,666. General Physics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Coe College earn a median of $44,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,463. General Physics graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.