[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general physics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 261 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general physics schools.
Finding the Best Value General Physics School for You
The right general physics school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Physics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Physics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for general physics in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for general physics. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,075. General Physics graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. General Physics graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general physics program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
California State University San Bernardino placed #6 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $57,114. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #7 for value in general physics this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General Physics graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College placed #9 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton landed the #10 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Physics graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. General Physics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Oxnard College came in at #12 for value in general physics this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College earned the #13 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College earned the #14 position for value in general physics this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
College Of The Canyons placed #15 among the best values for general physics. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #16 for value in general physics this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. General Physics graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College placed #17 among the best values for general physics. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $5,707. General Physics graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
West Valley College placed #18 among the best values for general physics. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. General Physics graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University landed the #19 spot for general physics value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. General Physics graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #21 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $13,287. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #22 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $18,138. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,826. That is a strong return on a $18,138 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Modesto Junior College landed the #23 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $8,575. Early-career general physics graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Cerritos College landed the #25 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Physics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general physics value ranking:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Physics. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 261 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 261 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).
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general physics education at a price that pays off.
