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2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in Michigan

2 Colleges in the United States
$27,867 Avg Student Debt
$54,848 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Physics Education Badge [Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for physics education students.

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2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in Michigan

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Physics Education Schools

1
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

For return on investment in physics education, no school beat Central Michigan University this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $50,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2
Albion College crest
Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #2 spot this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $26,047. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $40,829. Set against $26,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at Eastern Michigan University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $31,000. Early-career physics education graduates make about $47,887. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Northern Michigan University one of the best values for physics education. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $40,508. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at Western Michigan University, which ranked #5. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

6
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College placed #6 among the best values for physics education. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $26,022. Early-career physics education graduates make about $44,220. That is a strong return on a $26,022 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

7
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College placed #7 among the best values for physics education. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. In-state tuition and fees average $39,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $39,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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