by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for physics students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in physics, no school beat George Mason University this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $63,131. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Longwood University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. Physics graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $43,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at James Madison University earned it the #3 place for physics. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,218. Physics graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,218 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Virginia Main Campus earned it the #5 place for physics. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $69,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physics graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $58,061 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #7 spot for physics value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Physics graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.