College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

51 Ranked Colleges
2,030 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 13,674 people earned their degree in physics, making the major the 68th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, physics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $42,960 and had an average of $22,756 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 2,030 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,858 and $23,908 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 51 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the physics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Physics Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 57 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $11,619 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at UNC Chapel Hill

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #2 spot on the list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 58 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UF has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $8,394 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physics at University of Florida

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Forest University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Forest University, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,228 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at Wake Forest University

4
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 62 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $11,506 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Florida State Physics Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USF Tampa, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $9,669 for southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physics at USF Tampa

6
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Virginia is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 59 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,019 for southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Virginia.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Physics Report

7
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #7, William & Mary did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 38 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $10,995 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Physics at William & Mary

8

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Tech is $15,415 for southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Georgia Tech

9

Florida International University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $7,292 for southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida International University Physics Report

10
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UGA has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $15,037 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Georgia.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Georgia Physics Report

11
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

NC State also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $14,424 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at NC State

12
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 32 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, WVU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WVU is $13,077 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Physics at West Virginia University

13
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

With a ranking of #13, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 12 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, FAU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FAU is $12,323 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at FAU

14
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $18,372 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Physics at Virginia Tech

15
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Florida is $10,194 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at University of North Florida

16

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University also took the #12 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $19,623 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

17
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Appalachian State is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 45 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,769 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Appalachian State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Appalachian State University

18
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 24 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $16,646 for southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Physics at Emory

19
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. NKU is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend NKU is $9,505 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Physics at NKU

20
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Georgia State is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Georgia State also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $18,466 for southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Georgia State.

Full Georgia State Physics Report

21

University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Charlotte is $16,938 for southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physics at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

22
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. ECU is a public institution located in Greenville, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,654 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend ECU.

Read more about Physics at ECU

23

University of Louisiana at Lafayette ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UL Lafayette is a fairly large school located in Lafayette, Louisiana that handed out 5 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Louisiana at Lafayette is $14,322 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Physics at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

24
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Middle Tennessee State University is a large school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 20 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $14,498 for Southeast Region Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Physics Report

25
Bridgewater crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, Virginia

Bridgewater College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Bridgewater, Virginia, and it awarded 6 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bridgewater College is $19,772 for southeast region physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at Bridgewater College

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options