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2023 Best Value Colleges for Physics in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

51 Ranked Colleges
2,030 Degrees Awarded
$14,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Physics is the 68th most popular major in the country with 13,674 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 51 colleges that offered a degree in physics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the physics program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The physics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physics in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,469 for southeast region physics students with aid per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Physics Report

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Florida is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UF also took the #8 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $5,135 for southeast region physics students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. 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 UF

3
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 62 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

Florida State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,946 for southeast region physics students with aid per year to attend Florida State University.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read more about Physics at Florida State University

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 48 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $8,346 for southeast region physics students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Physics at USF Tampa

5
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 59 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia - Main Campus is $22,006 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at University of Virginia - Main Campus

6
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Boca Raton, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FAU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,735 for southeast region physics students with aid per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

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%.

Read more about Physics at Florida Atlantic University

7

Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. 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 Florida International University is $5,298 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physics at Florida International University

8
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. North Carolina State University is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $16,411 for southeast region physics students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Carolina State University Physics Report

9
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $13,989 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Appalachian State University Physics Report

10
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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 32 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WVU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Virginia University is $13,355 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid.

Read full report on Physics at West Virginia University

11
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $21,301 for southeast region physics students with aid per year to attend Virginia Tech.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 Virginia Tech

12

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school awarded 60 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is $14,974 for southeast region physics students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

13
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Georgia is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $14,257 for southeast region physics students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Georgia Physics Report

14
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 17 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $16,550 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid per year to attend ECU.

Read full report on Physics at ECU

15
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 38 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at William & Mary, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $19,593 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid per year to attend William & Mary.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full William & Mary Physics Report

16
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region physics students with aid list, Georgia State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgia State University is $17,242 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid.

Full Georgia State Physics Report

17

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 35 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Charlotte, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNC Charlotte is $17,634 for southeast region physics students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of North Carolina at Charlotte Physics Report

18

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Louisiana State University is a large school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 31 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $17,811 for southeast region physics students with aid per year to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Louisiana State University Physics Report

19
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #19, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNF is a fairly large school located in Jacksonville, Florida that handed out 18 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Florida is $8,865 for southeast region physics students with aid.

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 UNF

20
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and it awarded 20 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $12,752 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid.

Read more about Physics at Middle Tennessee State University

21
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. NKU is a public institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Kentucky University is $9,183 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid.

Read full report on Physics at Northern Kentucky University

22
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Mississippi State University is a large public school situated in Mississippi State, Mississippi. It awarded 18 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Mississippi State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mississippi State University is $16,122 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Physics at Mississippi State University

23

University of Louisiana at Lafayette landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UL Lafayette is a fairly large public school situated in Lafayette, Louisiana. It awarded 5 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Louisiana at Lafayette is $13,094 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid.

Read more about Physics at UL Lafayette

24
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physics degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $32,845 for Southeast Region Physics students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 full report on Physics at Wake Forest University

25

University of North Carolina at Pembroke did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a medium-sized school located in Pembroke, North Carolina that handed out 9 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,792 for southeast region physics students with aid per year to attend UNC Pembroke.

Read more about Physics at University of North Carolina at Pembroke

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