2027 Best Value Physics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
University Of Missouri Kansas City tops our 2027 list of the best value physics schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,741. Physics graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,262. Early-career physics graduates make about $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Grinnell College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $38,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #4 place for physics. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,594. Physics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $54,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #6 spot for physics value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #7 position for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $47,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #8 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,624. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $46,572. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Iowa State University landed the #9 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,496 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #10 for value in physics this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Physics graduates carry a median of $16,005 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Set against $16,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #11 position for value in physics this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $17,553. Physics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Coe College placed #12 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,666. Physics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $44,511. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #13 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,463. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #14 for value in physics this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $44,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College came in at #15 for value in physics this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,762 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $40,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,762 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Carleton College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $17,566. Early-career physics graduates make about $45,096. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #17 position for value in physics this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,639. Early-career physics graduates make about $61,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Macalester College placed #19 among the best values for physics. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $68,104. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,147. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $42,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 28%.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
