by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for physics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in physics, no school beat Grinnell College this year. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Physics graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $38,888. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
Iowa State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Coe College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,666. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $44,511. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $57,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.