by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
For return on investment in physics, no school beat Austin Community College District this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Physics graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tulsa Community College earned it the #2 place for physics. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $64,561. Set against $18,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
Arizona Western College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career physics graduates make about $44,895.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Physics graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #7 among the best values for physics. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $27,508 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $36,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #8 position for value in physics this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,796. Physics graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $65,563 early in their careers. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston came in at #9 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,925 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,925 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Physics graduates carry a median of $22,314 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $34,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Arizona State University placed #11 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,700. Early-career physics graduates make about $30,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #13 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,650 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $107,496. That is a strong return on a $20,650 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #14 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,200 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,200 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #15 for value in physics this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $41,737. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #16 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas Tech University earned the #17 position for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Physics graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $57,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #18 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $36,832. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #19 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $17,522. Physics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $53,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,522 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott placed #20 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. Students borrow a median of $24,288 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn a median of $66,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott admits about 77% of applicants.
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.