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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

4 Colleges in the United States
$25,228 Avg Student Debt
$54,862 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Physics Education Badge [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 18 schools to find the best return on investment for physics education students.

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2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Physics Education Schools

1

Chadron State College earned the #1 spot for value among physics education schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $24,943. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $47,254. Set against $24,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Wichita State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $22,145. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $47,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #3. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $26,000. Early-career physics education graduates make about $46,054. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

4

Saint Cloud State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #4 spot this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $43,279. That is a strong return on a $30,795 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #5 place for physics education. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $25,741. Physics Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.

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6

Emporia State University came in at #6 for value in physics education this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $52,694. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.

7

North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for physics education. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,970 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

8

Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $50,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.

9

Winona State University landed the #9 spot for physics education value this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $26,762. Early-career physics education graduates make about $53,109. Set against $26,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

10

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,082 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,463. Set against $26,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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11

Pittsburg State University landed the #11 spot for physics education value this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

12

Martin Luther College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,120. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $20,224 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Martin Luther College generally make around $31,016. Set against $20,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

13
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University earned the #13 position for value in physics education this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $25,530. Physics Education graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $48,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

14
Hastings College crest
Hastings College
Hastings, NE

Hastings College earned the #14 position for value in physics education this year. Set in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,770. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Hastings College earn a median of $42,417 early in their careers. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15

Northwestern College Iowa ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $25,415. Physics Education graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $61,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.

17

University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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