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2026 Best Value Atomic/Molecular Physics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in atomic/molecular physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Atomic/Molecular Physics Schools
Leading the list is University Of Utah, our #1 best value for atomic/molecular physics in the United States. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,990 to complete the atomic/molecular physics program here. Early-career atomic/molecular physics graduates make about $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value atomic/molecular physics schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for atomic/molecular physics graduates is $16,616. Early-career atomic/molecular physics graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in atomic/molecular physics will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $23,357 to complete the atomic/molecular physics program here. Soon after graduation, atomic/molecular physics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $82,495. Set against $23,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Other Atomic/Molecular Physics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Atomic/Molecular Physics rankings across degree levels:
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
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