2027 Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools
[Optics/Optical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/optics-optical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for optics/optical sciences students.
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Finding the Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences School for You
Where you study optics/optical sciences affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the optics/optical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of California Davis the best value for a degree in optics/optical sciences in the United States. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $16,464. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great value for students pursuing a degree in optics/optical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Optics/optical Sciences 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. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value optics/optical sciences schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value optics/optical sciences schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $20,650 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $107,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in optics/optical sciences will find it at Bridgewater State University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $26,632. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $48,937 early in their careers. Set against $26,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in optics/optical sciences this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $23,357 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $82,495 early in their careers. Set against $23,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value optics/optical sciences schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $53,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Rowan University landed the #8 spot for optics/optical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Montana State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value optics/optical sciences schools. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $23,635. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $47,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value optics/optical sciences schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the optics/optical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Duke University placed #11 among the best values for optics/optical sciences. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $13,296. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #12 among the best values for optics/optical sciences. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $24,958. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #13 for value in optics/optical sciences this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Optics/optical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $48,374. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
