2026 Best Value Physics Schools in Oregon
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physics Schools in Oregon
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Schools
Portland State University earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in Oregon. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,070 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $62,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Oregon State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,410. Physics graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $48,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,034. Physics graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Reed College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Reed College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $69,350 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $21,137 in student loans. Physics graduates of Reed College earn a median of $30,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Reed College admits about 25% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
