2027 Best Value Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 191 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physics Schools
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value 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. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $15,149. Physics graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $57,114 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #4. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for value in physics this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,138 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,826. Set against $18,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #7 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $62,647 early in their careers. Set against $19,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University earned the #8 position for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Florida State University came in at #9 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in physics this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Physics graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $46,094. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University earned the #11 position for value in physics this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #12 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $21,831 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,831 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego landed the #13 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,800 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $48,951. Set against $16,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #14 for value in physics this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $19,349. Physics graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $60,495. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #16 position for value in physics this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,229. Early-career physics graduates make about $42,057. Set against $23,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $64,045. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $64,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #19 position for value in physics this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $49,907. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #20 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. Physics graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $49,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,020 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $15,508 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $50,219. Set against $15,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Merced came in at #22 for value in physics this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $18,318. Physics graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #23 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #24 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Physics graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $53,019 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia came in at #25 for value in physics this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,439. Physics graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physics this year:
Other Physics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Physics rankings across degree levels:
View All Physics Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 191 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 191 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.
