2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in Minnesota

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physics students.
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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in Minnesota
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Twin Cities the best value for a degree in general physics in Minnesota. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,594. General Physics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $54,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,594 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Duluth earned it the #2 place for general physics. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $46,572. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Gustavus Adolphus College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $26,000. Early-career general physics graduates make about $44,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Olaf College earned it the #4 place for general physics. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,762. General Physics graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $40,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carleton College earned it the #5 place for general physics. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,566. Early-career general physics graduates make about $45,096. Set against $17,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 20%.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #6 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $61,465 early in their careers. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #7 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $65,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Macalester College came in at #8 for value in general physics this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $68,104. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $22,147. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $42,517. Set against $22,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.