2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Physics Schools
Leading the list is College Of The Canyons, our #1 best value for general physics in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. General Physics graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 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 Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #6 position for value in general physics this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College earned the #7 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College came in at #8 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. General Physics graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College placed #10 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Golden West College landed the #11 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $21,500. 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.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #13 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #14 among the best values for general physics. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College landed the #15 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College came in at #16 for value in general physics this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Physics graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton placed #17 among the best values for general physics. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. 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.
Hartnell College came in at #18 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College landed the #19 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Solano Community College placed #21 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $10,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College landed the #23 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. General Physics graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Orange Coast College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $8,978. Early-career general physics graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College landed the #25 spot for general physics value this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Physics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general physics value ranking:
Narrow General Physics Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 179 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
