2027 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value physics schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $13,750. Early-career physics graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #2 place for physics. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $18,138 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,826. Set against $18,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #3 makes Florida International University one of the best values for physics. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $62,647 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,200 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for physics. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $46,094. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $21,831 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #7 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,765 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $51,884. Set against $20,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia placed #8 among the best values for physics. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in physics this year. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,960, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of $58,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $70,150 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #12 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,754. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
West Virginia University landed the #13 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson College landed the #14 spot for physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $19,906. Physics graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University came in at #15 for value in physics this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $43,740. That is a strong return on a $23,490 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Appalachian State University placed #17 among the best values for physics. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Physics graduates carry a median of $22,096 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $79,066. That is a strong return on a $22,096 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Georgia State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,296 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $31,001. That is a strong return on a $26,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #19 for value in physics this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $62,903. That is a strong return on a $24,797 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
College Of William And Mary landed the #20 spot for physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $20,000. Early-career physics graduates make about $53,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,344 in student loans. Physics graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Set against $25,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
West Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #24 spot for physics value this year. Located in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,090. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,857. Early-career physics graduates make about $47,784. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #25 spot for physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $69,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Physics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physics:
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Notes and References
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
