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2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Physics Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of The Canyons the best value for a degree in general physics in California. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #2 spot this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General Physics graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #3 place for general physics. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for general physics. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for general physics. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $6,999. Early-career general physics graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
College Of San Mateo came in at #6 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Oxnard College earned the #7 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #9 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. General Physics graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #10 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Saddleback College placed #11 among the best values for general physics. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $5,707. 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.
Golden West College landed the #12 spot for general physics value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $21,500. General Physics graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Pasadena City College landed the #13 spot for general physics value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Reedley College placed #14 among the best values for general physics. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Physics graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College earned the #16 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. General Physics graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Folsom Lake College came in at #18 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
California State University Fullerton placed #19 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. General Physics graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College came in at #20 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Riverside City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. General Physics graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College earned the #23 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Citrus College placed #24 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Orange Coast College placed #25 among the best values for general physics. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Physics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general physics value ranking:
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
