2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Physics Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City tops our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #2. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes Grinnell College one of the best values for general physics. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $38,888 early in their careers. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #4. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,594 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $54,350. Set against $23,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #5 place for general physics. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $56,289. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #6 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,408. Early-career general physics graduates make about $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #7 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $47,670. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #8 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,624. General Physics graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $46,572 early in their careers. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Iowa State University landed the #9 spot for general physics value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,496. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Set against $23,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #10 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. General Physics graduates carry a median of $16,005 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. That is a strong return on a $16,005 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,553. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Coe College placed #12 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,666. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $44,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Iowa ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. General Physics graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #14 among the best values for general physics. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,076. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
St Olaf College earned the #15 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,762 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $40,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Carleton College placed #16 among the best values for general physics. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 20%.
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #17 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,923. General Physics graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Macalester College placed #19 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,104. General Physics graduates carry a median of $22,147 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $42,517. Set against $22,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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.
