by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physics schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value physics schools in New Jersey. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $10,888. Early-career physics graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $36,435. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,974. Early-career physics graduates make about $35,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,429. Physics graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. Set against $24,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
A rank of #5 makes Seton Hall University one of the best values for physics. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $63,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.