2026 Best Value Physics Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Missouri University Of Science And Technology tops our 2026 list of the best value physics schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $74,532. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
Grinnell College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $38,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for physics. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,594 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $54,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for physics. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,209. Early-career physics graduates make about $47,670. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,408. Early-career physics graduates make about $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #7 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $46,572. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $16,005 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $53,134. Set against $16,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Coe College earned the #9 position for value in physics this year. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,666. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $44,511. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Iowa landed the #11 spot for physics value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College placed #12 among the best values for physics. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,762. Early-career physics graduates make about $40,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Carleton College placed #13 among the best values for physics. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. Set against $17,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
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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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
