by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Brigham Young University Idaho the best value for a degree in physics in Idaho. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Physics graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boise State University earned it the #2 place for physics. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Physics graduates carry a median of $26,175 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $45,813. Set against $26,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.