2026 Best Value Other Physics Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Physics Schools
California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $23,229 to complete the other physics program here. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $42,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in other physics will find it at California State University Channel Islands, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $16,997. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $44,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in other physics will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #3. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the other physics program here. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University San Marcos is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other physics, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $19,069 to complete the other physics program here. Other Physics graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $56,018 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,069 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $16,800. Other Physics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,987 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,800 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University earned the #6 position for value in other physics this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career other physics graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Irvine ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the other physics program here. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $43,144. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #8 for value in other physics this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $17,113 in student loans. Other Physics graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Davis landed the #9 spot for other physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $16,464 to complete the other physics program here. Early-career other physics graduates make about $53,749. That is a strong return on a $16,464 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Oregon came in at #10 for value in other physics this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $22,034. Early-career other physics graduates make about $44,628. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
[Other Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/physics-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
