by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
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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.
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $16,478. Early-career physics graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #2. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $13,287. Early-career physics graduates make about $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado Denver earned it the #3 place for physics. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,288 early in their careers. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Brigham Young University Provo, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $12,184. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $68,664. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Utah came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Physics graduates carry a median of $21,990 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $38,748 early in their careers. Set against $21,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #6 position for value in physics this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $34,373. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #7 position for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Physics graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Physics graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $51,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,175. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $45,813. Set against $26,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University landed the #9 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,635. Physics graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #10 for value in physics this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,635 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $41,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado College landed the #11 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,734. Physics graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $37,342. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.