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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 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.
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in Texas. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Rice University one of the best values for physics. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Physics graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for physics. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Physics graduates carry a median of $27,508 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $36,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #5 place for physics. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,925. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #6 among the best values for physics. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $65,563. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Angelo State University came in at #7 for value in physics this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,237. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $46,134. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #8 position for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,200. Early-career physics graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,200 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $22,314 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $34,611 early in their careers. Set against $22,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #10 position for value in physics this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Physics graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $41,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #11 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $58,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #12 position for value in physics this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $36,832. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Tech University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $57,435 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #14 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $17,522. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $53,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.