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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in North Carolina

6 Colleges in the United States
$21,123 Avg Student Debt
$71,547 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Physics Badge [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 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physics schools.

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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Physics Schools

1

For return on investment in physics, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $19,200 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $62,647. Set against $19,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for physics. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $70,150. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes Appalachian State University one of the best values for physics. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $22,096 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $79,066. Set against $22,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

4

A rank of #4 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values for physics. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans. Physics graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,490 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Davidson College earned it the #5 place for physics. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. Set against $19,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.

6
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University placed #6 among the best values for physics. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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