2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Wisconsin

[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physics schools.
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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin La Crosse the best value for a degree in physics in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,292. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $54,428. That is a strong return on a $26,292 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $36,878. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire one of the best values for physics. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Set against $22,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Beloit College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Beloit. Students from in state pay about $60,886 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,998 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $33,499. That is a strong return on a $25,998 median debt. Beloit College admits about 63% of applicants.
Carthage College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,750. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,708 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $41,923. That is a strong return on a $25,708 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.