2026 Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics Master’s Degree Schools
[Engineering & Applied Physics](/majors/engineering/engineering-physics/engineering-applied-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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 142 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering & applied physics students.
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2026 Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering & applied physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics Schools
California Institute Of Technology tops our 2026 list of the best value engineering & applied physics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. California Institute Of Technology admits about 3% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering & applied physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Early-career engineering & applied physics graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Oregon one of the best values for engineering & applied physics. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $98,640 early in their careers. Set against $22,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
Yale University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering & applied physics schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical student debt for engineering & applied physics graduates is $14,357. Early-career engineering & applied physics graduates make about $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Colorado School Of Mines is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering & applied physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $72,858 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering & applied physics schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Typical student debt for engineering & applied physics graduates is $15,005. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Other Engineering & Applied Physics Degree Levels
Explore the best-value engineering & applied physics schools at other degree levels:
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 · 142 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
