2027 Best Value Engineering Physics Master’s Degree Schools
[Engineering Physics](/majors/engineering/engineering-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering physics students.
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2027 Best Value Engineering Physics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Physics Schools
University Of California San Diego earned the #1 spot for value among engineering physics schools in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $17,101. Engineering Physics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Rice University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $15,854. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #4 makes California Institute Of Technology one of the best values for engineering physics. 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 physics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #5 place for engineering physics. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $16,616. Engineering Physics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #6 spot for engineering physics value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Yale University came in at #7 for value in engineering physics this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $14,357. Engineering Physics graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Oregon earned the #8 position for value in engineering physics this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Engineering Physics graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $98,640 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Cornell University placed #9 among the best values for engineering physics. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Engineering 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.
Colorado School Of Mines placed #10 among the best values for engineering physics. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $72,858. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.
Other Engineering Physics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Engineering Physics rankings across degree levels:
View All Engineering Physics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
