2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Ohio
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for physics students.
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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Schools
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in Ohio. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $82,495. That is a strong return on a $23,357 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Toledo one of the best values for physics. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,546. Physics graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The College Of Wooster earned it the #4 place for physics. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,640 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,936 in student loans. Physics graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,936 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Kenyon College placed #6 among the best values for physics. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,520. Physics graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Physics graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $37,976 early in their careers. Set against $18,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Oberlin College earned the #7 position for value in physics this year. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. In-state tuition and fees average $67,366. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,759. Early-career physics graduates make about $25,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
Denison University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,360. Physics graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,360 median debt. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University placed #9 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,292 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $74,459. That is a strong return on a $25,292 median debt. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
