2027 Best Value Physics Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for physics education students.
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2027 Best Value Physics Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physics Education Schools
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #1 spot for value among physics education schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $13,680 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $42,094. That is a strong return on a $13,680 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt.
Western Governors University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physics education schools. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $25,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $51,888. That is a strong return on a $25,145 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah State University earned it the #5 place for physics education. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $14,757. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,877. That is a strong return on a $14,757 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #6 among the best values for physics education. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,117 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,153 early in their careers. Set against $9,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Montana State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $51,732. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.