2026 Best Value Engineering Physics Schools

1

Rice University
Houston, TX

For return on investment in engineering physics, no school beat Rice University this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for engineering physics. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the engineering physics program here. Engineering Physics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

3

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Students looking for strong value in engineering physics will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $19,521. Engineering Physics graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $58,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,521 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering physics, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $14,238. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for engineering physics. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,136 to complete the engineering physics program here. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $64,304. That is a strong return on a $20,136 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

6

Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI

Lansing Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.

7

Florida Polytechnic University
Lakeland, FL

Florida Polytechnic University came in at #7 for value in engineering physics this year. Florida Polytechnic University is a small public school located in the rural area of Lakeland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $21,004. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $64,823. Florida Polytechnic University admits about 58% of applicants.

8

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #8 among the best values for engineering physics. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

9

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #9 for value in engineering physics this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $27,000. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $68,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.

10

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois landed the #10 spot for engineering physics value this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $54,165. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.

11

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology earned the #11 position for value in engineering physics this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Engineering Physics graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 3%.

12

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in engineering physics this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Engineering Physics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

13

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #13 position for value in engineering physics this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the engineering physics program here. Engineering Physics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

14

Delaware State University
Dover, DE

Delaware State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,670 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,634. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the engineering physics program here. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $54,210. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Delaware State University admits about 47% of applicants.

15

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $20,373. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.

16

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon landed the #16 spot for engineering physics value this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $22,034. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $98,640. Set against $22,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

17

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #17 among the best values for engineering 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. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Engineering 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. The acceptance rate is 4%.

18

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University earned the #18 position for value in engineering physics this year. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. That is a strong return on a $25,308 median debt. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.

19

Colorado School Of Mines
Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines landed the #19 spot for engineering physics value this year. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the engineering physics program here. Engineering Physics graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $72,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.

20

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering physics schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $15,005. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

21

Siena College
Loudonville, NY

Siena College came in at #21 for value in engineering physics this year. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,805. Students borrow a median of $26,656 to complete the engineering physics program here. Engineering Physics graduates of Siena College earn a median of $44,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

22

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach placed #22 among the best values for engineering physics. 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 physics program here. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $56,889. Set against $23,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

23

Fordham University
Bronx, NY

Fordham University landed the #23 spot for engineering physics value this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $25,643. Engineering Physics graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,643 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

24

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #24 among the best values for engineering physics. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete the engineering physics program here. Engineering Physics graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.