2026 Best Value Physics Schools in Utah
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
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for physics in Utah. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,990. Early-career physics graduates make about $38,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #4 makes Brigham Young University Provo one of the best values for physics. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $12,184. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $68,664. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
