2027 Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools

[Theoretical & Mathematical Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/theoretical-and-mathematical-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong theoretical & mathematical physics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for theoretical & mathematical physics students.
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Finding the Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics School for You
The right theoretical & mathematical physics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in theoretical & mathematical physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools
Indiana University Bloomington tops our 2027 list of the best value theoretical & mathematical physics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates carry a median of $25,687 in student loans. Early-career theoretical & mathematical physics graduates make about $52,123. That is a strong return on a $25,687 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theoretical & mathematical physics, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the theoretical & mathematical physics program here. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $62,903 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value theoretical & mathematical physics schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theoretical & mathematical physics graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, theoretical & mathematical physics degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Boston University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in theoretical & mathematical physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in theoretical & mathematical physics will find it at Brown University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Early-career theoretical & mathematical physics graduates make about $62,820. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #6 among the best values for theoretical & mathematical physics. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for theoretical & mathematical physics graduates is $24,958. Early-career theoretical & mathematical physics graduates make about $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #7 spot for theoretical & mathematical physics value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the theoretical & mathematical physics program here. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Harvey Mudd College came in at #8 for value in theoretical & mathematical physics this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,613. Students borrow a median of $22,730 to complete the theoretical & mathematical physics program here. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates of Harvey Mudd College earn a median of $130,443 early in their careers. Set against $22,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 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.