2027 Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Theoretical & Mathematical Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/theoretical-and-mathematical-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value theoretical & mathematical physics schools.
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2027 Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theoretical & mathematical physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools
For return on investment in theoretical & mathematical physics, no school beat Indiana University Bloomington this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates carry a median of $25,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, theoretical & mathematical physics degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $25,687 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Alabama At Huntsville one of the best values for theoretical & mathematical physics. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates carry a median of $24,797 in student loans. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $62,903 early in their careers. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in theoretical & mathematical physics will find it at University At Buffalo, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the theoretical & mathematical physics program here. Soon after graduation, theoretical & mathematical physics degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value theoretical & mathematical physics schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Early-career theoretical & mathematical physics graduates make about $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value theoretical & mathematical physics schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for theoretical & mathematical physics graduates is $25,232. Early-career theoretical & mathematical physics graduates make about $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 for value in theoretical & mathematical physics this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for theoretical & mathematical physics graduates is $24,958. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #7 for value in theoretical & mathematical physics this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career theoretical & mathematical physics graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Harvey Mudd College came in at #8 for value in theoretical & mathematical physics this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,613. Students borrow a median of $22,730 to complete the theoretical & mathematical physics program here. Early-career theoretical & mathematical physics graduates make about $130,443. Set against $22,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Other Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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 8 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.