2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Physics Schools
For return on investment in general physics, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $62,647 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,200 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of North Carolina At Asheville, which ranked #2. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $22,108. General Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,108 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #3. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $70,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. General Physics graduates carry a median of $22,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $79,066. Set against $22,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #5 place for general physics. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $23,490 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $43,740. That is a strong return on a $23,490 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Davidson College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $19,906. Early-career general physics graduates make about $41,505. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.
Duke University landed the #7 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $13,296. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.