2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Colorado

[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Colorado
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Colorado Denver the best value for a degree in physics in Colorado. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $34,373. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Colorado State University Fort Collins one of the best values for physics. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,843. 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.
University Of Colorado Boulder is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot 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. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $20,635. Physics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $41,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,635 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Colorado College, which ranked #5. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,734. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 18%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.