[Physics And Astronomy](/majors/physical-sciences/physics-and-astronomy/) 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 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physics and astronomy schools.
Finding the Best Value Physics And Astronomy School for You
The right physics and astronomy school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Physics And Astronomy Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physics And Astronomy Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Northern Arizona University the best value for a degree in physics and astronomy in the United States. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics and astronomy graduates is $21,645. Early-career physics and astronomy graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Kentucky one of the best values for physics and astronomy. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Physics And Astronomy graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics and astronomy degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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).
[Physics And Astronomy](/majors/physical-sciences/physics-and-astronomy/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
