2026 Best Value Other Physics Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Physics Schools
Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for other physics in California. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. 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. Other Physics graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $42,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,229 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Channel Islands came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $16,997 in student loans. Other Physics graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $44,753 early in their careers. Set against $16,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for other physics. 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, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $17,492. Early-career other physics graduates make about $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other physics will find it at California State University San Marcos, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,069 to complete the other physics program here. Early-career other physics graduates make about $56,018. That is a strong return on a $19,069 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other physics, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $16,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $68,987. That is a strong return on a $16,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Stanford University came in at #6 for value in other physics this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the other physics program here. Early-career other physics graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Irvine landed the #7 spot for other physics value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career other physics graduates make about $43,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California Davis placed #8 among the best values for other physics. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $16,464 in student loans. Early-career other physics graduates make about $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Harvey Mudd College landed the #9 spot for other physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,613. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $22,730. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from Harvey Mudd College generally make around $130,443. Set against $22,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
