2026 Best Value Physics Schools in North Carolina
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
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete the physics program here. 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.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Asheville one of the best values for physics. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Physics graduates carry a median of $22,108 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $31,821. Set against $22,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for physics. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $28,750. Early-career physics graduates make about $70,150. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $22,096 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $79,066. That is a strong return on a $22,096 median debt. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #5 place for physics. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,490. Physics graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,490 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson College came in at #6 for value in physics this year. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,430. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Duke University landed the #7 spot for physics value this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $13,296. Early-career physics graduates make about $83,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
