2027 Best Value General Physics Master’s Degree Schools
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) 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 75 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general physics schools.
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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Physics Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in general physics in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. General Physics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $14,430. General Physics graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $13,750. General Physics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $19,349. Early-career general physics graduates make about $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #6 spot for general physics value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $20,115. Early-career general physics graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #7 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $21,100. General Physics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $88,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #8 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,229. Early-career general physics graduates make about $42,057. Set against $23,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #9 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #10 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. General Physics graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,831 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of California Berkeley placed #12 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. General Physics graduates carry a median of $15,508 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $78,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #13 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $56,930. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #14 among the best values for general physics. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,113 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $41,474 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #15 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $43,144. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #16 spot for general physics value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $74,302. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #17 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. General Physics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #18 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #19 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $20,500. Early-career general physics graduates make about $77,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Davis landed the #20 spot for general physics value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. General Physics graduates carry a median of $16,464 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Houston placed #21 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,925 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. That is a strong return on a $25,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $30,203. Set against $21,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #23 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,982 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $53,597. Set against $15,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
California Institute Of Technology came in at #24 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Early-career general physics graduates make about $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $12,184. Early-career general physics graduates make about $68,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Physics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general physics value ranking:
Other General Physics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Physics rankings across degree levels:
View All General Physics Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 75 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.
