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2027 Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region

[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 2 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for optics/optical sciences students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region

2027 Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in optics/optical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools

1

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

$10,140 In-State Tuition & Fees

$19,738 Avg Student Debt

$44,792 Median Earnings (10yr)

University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among optics/optical sciences schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $19,738. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $49,983. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

$13,573 In-State Tuition & Fees

$20,650 Avg Student Debt

$59,979 Median Earnings (10yr)

University Of Arizona came in at #2 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. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $20,650. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $107,496. That is a strong return on a $20,650 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

View All Optics/Optical Sciences Rankings >

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 · 2 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.