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2026 Best Value Physics And Astronomy Schools

[Physics And Astronomy](/majors/physical-sciences/physics-and-astronomy/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physics and astronomy schools.

What’s on this page:

• Customize Your Rankings
• Best Value Physics And Astronomy Schools List
• Narrow by Region

Finding the Best Value Physics And Astronomy School for You

The right physics and astronomy school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Physics And Astronomy 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.

Read more about our methodology

Customize Your Rankings

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physics And Astronomy Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

2026 Best Value Physics And Astronomy Schools in the United States

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

Best Value Physics And Astronomy Schools

1

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

$12,619 In-State Tuition & Fees

$21,645 Avg Student Debt

$54,384 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Northern Arizona University the best value for a degree in physics and astronomy in the United States. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics and astronomy graduates is $21,645. Early-career physics and astronomy graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

2

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

$13,502 In-State Tuition & Fees

$24,094 Avg Student Debt

$59,025 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes University Of Kentucky one of the best values for physics and astronomy. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Physics And Astronomy graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics and astronomy degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

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Physics And Astronomy Related Rankings by Major

Physics And Astronomy is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

Most Popular Related Majors

Major	Annual Graduates
Physics and Astronomy	34

View All Physics And Astronomy Concentrations >

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 · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.