by our College Data Analytics Team
[Other Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/physics-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other physics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value other physics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for other physics in the United States. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career other physics graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other physics will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $23,229 in student loans. Other Physics graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $42,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value other physics schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $74,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for other physics. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $17,113 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $17,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine placed #6 among the best values for other physics. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value other physics schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $16,464 in student loans. Other Physics 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. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #8 among the best values for other physics. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $12,184. Other Physics graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $68,664 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #9 spot for other physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University placed #10 among the best values for other physics. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Delaware placed #11 among the best values for other physics. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $26,572 in student loans. Other Physics graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,572 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #12 among the best values for other physics. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the other physics program here. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Yale University came in at #13 for value in other physics this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the other physics program here. Early-career other physics graduates make about $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Oregon placed #14 among the best values for other physics. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $44,628. Set against $22,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Connecticut landed the #15 spot for other physics value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $26,324 in student loans. Early-career other physics graduates make about $32,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #16 spot for other physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best values for other physics. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career other physics graduates make about $74,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester came in at #18 for value in other physics this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $19,000. Early-career other physics graduates make about $60,865. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University placed #19 among the best values for other physics. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $13,296. Other Physics 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%.
Catholic University Of America ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value other physics schools. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Other Physics graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $65,120 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value other physics schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the other physics program here. Early-career other physics graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Drexel University placed #22 among the best values for other physics. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,847 to complete the other physics program here. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Explore the best-value other physics schools at other degree levels:
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.