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 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value physics schools in Utah. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $16,478. Physics graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Brigham Young University Provo, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Physics graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Physics graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $68,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $21,990 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $38,748. Set against $21,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.