2026 Best Value Physics Schools in Ohio
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physics Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physics Schools
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in Ohio. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,357 in student loans. Physics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $82,495 early in their careers. Set against $23,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stark State College earned it the #2 place for physics. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $17,349. Early-career physics graduates make about $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
Kent State University At Kent is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,174. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,292. Physics graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,292 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Oberlin College came in at #6 for value in physics this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,366. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,759. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
View All Physics Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
