[Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 138 schools to find the best return on investment for physics education students.
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Finding the Best Value Physics Education School for You
Where you study physics education affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Physics Education 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physics Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for physics education in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $61,604. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,178 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for physics education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $67,212. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for physics education. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $73,336. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for physics education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #6 position for value in physics education this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Wyoming placed #8 among the best values for physics education. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $18,500. Physics Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Montgomery College earned the #9 position for value in physics education this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #11 spot for physics education value this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,680 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $42,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University came in at #12 for value in physics education this year. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $25,145. Physics Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $51,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,145 median debt.
Weber State University earned the #13 position for value in physics education this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Washington University landed the #14 spot for physics education value this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $23,009. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Set against $23,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University placed #15 among the best values for physics education. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $14,757 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,877 early in their careers. Set against $14,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #16 among the best values for physics education. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rhode Island College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $29,659 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $45,088. That is a strong return on a $29,659 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #18 for value in physics education this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $21,500. Physics Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $45,145 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $24,000. Early-career physics education graduates make about $45,115. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Chadron State College landed the #21 spot for physics education value this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $24,943 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Wichita State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $22,145. Physics Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $47,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,145 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #23 for value in physics education this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $20,769. Early-career physics education graduates make about $47,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #24 among the best values for physics education. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $9,117. Early-career physics education graduates make about $47,153. Set against $9,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northern Arizona University earned the #25 position for value in physics education this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $22,009. Early-career physics education graduates make about $49,856. Set against $22,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physics Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physics education value ranking:
Physics Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 138 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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).
[Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
