2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Minnesota
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Schools
For return on investment in physics, no school beat University Of Minnesota Twin Cities this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,594. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $54,350. That is a strong return on a $23,594 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Duluth earned it the #2 place for physics. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,624. Physics graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $46,572 early in their careers. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gustavus Adolphus College earned it the #3 place for physics. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,076. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #4 makes St Olaf College one of the best values for physics. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,762. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $40,848. That is a strong return on a $23,762 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Carleton College, which ranked #5. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $45,096. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 20%.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $61,465. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,923. Early-career physics graduates make about $65,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
Macalester College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,147. Physics graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $42,517 early in their careers. Set against $22,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
