2026 Best Value Physics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $11,091. Physics graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $10,888. Early-career physics graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #6 for value in physics this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $18,138. Early-career physics graduates make about $55,826. That is a strong return on a $18,138 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #7 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands landed the #8 spot for physics value this year. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $16,997. Early-career physics graduates make about $44,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
Rice University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $11,904. Physics graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #10 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $23,229 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $42,057. That is a strong return on a $23,229 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,069 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $56,018. Set against $19,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
Utah Valley University placed #12 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
University Of California San Diego came in at #13 for value in physics this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Physics graduates carry a median of $16,800 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $48,951. Set against $16,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #14 position for value in physics this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #15 spot for physics value this year. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $18,747. Physics graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. Set against $18,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #16 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,750. Physics graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $46,094 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University earned the #17 position for value in physics this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,765 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,765 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Georgia placed #18 among the best values for physics. 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. Physics graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for physics value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $19,026. Early-career physics graduates make about $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine earned the #20 position for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $43,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Jose State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #22 for value in physics this year. 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. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $19,200. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $62,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #23 position for value in physics this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $17,113. Early-career physics graduates make about $41,474. Set against $17,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #24 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $17,024. Physics graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #25 for value in physics this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $64,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physics this year:
Other Physics Degree Levels
Explore the best-value physics schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 959 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 149 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.
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
