2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for general physics students.
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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Physics Schools
Leading the list is Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for general physics in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $14,519. Early-career general physics graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Tulsa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $15,789. General Physics graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology one of the best values for general physics. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public school located in the town of Socorro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. General Physics graduates carry a median of $18,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $64,561. Set against $18,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona Western College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career general physics graduates make about $44,895.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #6 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. General Physics graduates carry a median of $27,508 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $36,328. Set against $27,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Rice University landed the #7 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. General Physics graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $65,563 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #9 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $22,314. General Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $34,611 early in their careers. Set against $22,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Arizona State University earned the #11 position for value in general physics this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. General Physics graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $30,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #12 for value in general physics this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $19,738. Early-career general physics graduates make about $49,983. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Arizona earned the #13 position for value in general physics this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $20,650. Early-career general physics graduates make about $107,496. That is a strong return on a $20,650 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas came in at #14 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,200 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Set against $21,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #15 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $41,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas Tech University came in at #17 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $57,435. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. General Physics graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $36,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #19 position for value in general physics this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $17,522 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $53,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
