[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 946 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physics students.
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Finding the Best Value General Physics School for You
The right general physics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value General 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 General Physics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked College Of The Canyons the best value for a degree in general physics in the United States. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. General Physics graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for general physics. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general physics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for general physics. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
University Of Florida landed the #6 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Physics graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Skyline College landed the #7 spot for general physics value this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Oxnard College placed #8 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #9 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. General Physics graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Irvine Valley College came in at #10 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #11 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $6,999. General Physics graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #12 among the best values for general physics. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #13 for value in general physics this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #14 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $9,191. General Physics graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Princeton University placed #16 among the best values for general physics. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. General Physics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #17 position for value in general physics this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Grossmont College earned the #18 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Orange Coast College landed the #19 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Diablo Valley College came in at #21 for value in general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanford University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
American River College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $14,105. General Physics graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College came in at #25 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Physics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general physics:
This ranking is produced 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 · 946 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 155 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).
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
