[Engineering & Applied Physics](/majors/engineering/engineering-physics/engineering-applied-physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 142 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value engineering & applied physics schools.
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Finding the Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics School for You
Where you study engineering & applied physics affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Engineering & Applied 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Rice University earned the #1 spot for value among engineering & applied physics schools in the United States. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for engineering & applied physics graduates is $11,904. Early-career engineering & applied physics graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering & applied physics, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career engineering & applied physics graduates make about $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Murray State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering & applied physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $19,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $58,025. That is a strong return on a $19,521 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place for engineering & applied physics. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in engineering & applied physics will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $20,136 in student loans. Early-career engineering & applied physics graduates make about $64,304. That is a strong return on a $20,136 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Lansing Community College landed the #6 spot for engineering & applied physics value this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Polytechnic University landed the #7 spot for engineering & applied physics value this year. Set in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Florida Polytechnic University earn a median of $64,823 early in their careers. Florida Polytechnic University admits about 58% of applicants.
Harvard University placed #8 among the best values for engineering & applied physics. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #9 for value in engineering & applied physics this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $68,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois placed #10 among the best values for engineering & applied physics. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $54,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of Technology earned the #11 position for value in engineering & applied physics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,898. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 3%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in engineering & applied physics this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering & applied physics schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career engineering & applied physics graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Delaware State University placed #14 among the best values for engineering & applied physics. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,670, compared with $20,634 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering & applied physics graduates is $31,000. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Delaware State University earn a median of $54,210 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Delaware State University admits about 47% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #15 position for value in engineering & applied physics this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Oregon earned the #16 position for value in engineering & applied physics this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for engineering & applied physics graduates is $22,034. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $98,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
Yale University placed #17 among the best values for engineering & applied physics. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical student debt for engineering & applied physics graduates is $14,357. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University earned the #18 position for value in engineering & applied physics this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Biola University earn a median of $45,003 early in their careers. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #19 for value in engineering & applied physics this year. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $72,858 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.
Cornell University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering & applied physics schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Siena College came in at #21 for value in engineering & applied physics this year. Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Loudonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,805. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $26,656 in student loans. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Siena College earn a median of $44,535 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach came in at #22 for value in engineering & applied physics this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,074. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Early-career engineering & applied physics graduates make about $56,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Fordham University placed #23 among the best values for engineering & applied physics. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #24 spot for engineering & applied physics value this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 142 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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).
[Engineering & Applied Physics](/majors/engineering/engineering-physics/engineering-applied-physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
