by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 266 schools to find the best return on investment for physics students.
What’s on this page:
The right physics school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Physics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Physics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for physics. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Physics graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for physics. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for physics. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $57,114. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Skyline College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #7 position for value in physics this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $8,098. Physics graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #8 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #9 position for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
California State University Fullerton placed #10 among the best values for physics. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Florida ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Physics graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $58,388. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Oxnard College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Pasadena City College landed the #13 spot for physics value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
College Of The Canyons ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $9,776. Physics graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #16 position for value in physics this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College earned the #17 position for value in physics this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #18 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College earned the #19 position for value in physics this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Physics graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Golden West College placed #20 among the best values for physics. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,500. Early-career physics graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Physics graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #22 spot for physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $18,138. Physics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $55,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Modesto Junior College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Physics graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #24 for value in physics this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Cerritos College came in at #25 for value in physics this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Physics graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physics value ranking:
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in physics:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Cosumnes River College | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #52 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA | Full Report |
| #53 | Fullerton College | Fullerton, CA | Full Report |
| #54 | Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA | Full Report |
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Physics. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physics, General | 9,456 |
| Physics, Other | 408 |
| Optics/Optical Sciences | 260 |
| Acoustics | 187 |
| Theoretical and Mathematical Physics | 27 |
| Elementary Particle Physics | 12 |
| Atomic/Molecular Physics | 11 |
| Condensed Matter and Materials Physics | 5 |
| Nuclear Physics | 4 |
View All Physics Concentrations >
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 266 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 266 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.