2027 Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Optics/Optical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/optics-optical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong optics/optical sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value optics/optical sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in optics/optical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of California Davis, our #1 best value for optics/optical sciences in the United States. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Optics/optical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,464 in student loans. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $53,749. Set against $16,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in optics/optical sciences will find it at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #2. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $70,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for optics/optical sciences. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $20,650 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $107,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value optics/optical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $26,632 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $48,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in optics/optical sciences will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Optics/optical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $53,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Clemson University landed the #6 spot for optics/optical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $53,834. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Rowan University landed the #7 spot for optics/optical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Montana State University landed the #8 spot for optics/optical sciences value this year. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Optics/optical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Rochester earned the #9 position for value in optics/optical sciences this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Optics/optical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $60,865. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Duke University earned the #10 position for value in optics/optical sciences this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Optics/optical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value optics/optical sciences schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Optics/optical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value optics/optical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $48,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Other Optics/Optical Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Optics/Optical Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Optics/Optical Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
