2026 Best Value General Physics Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in general physics in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Physics graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $58,388. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

3

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

4

Florida International University
Miami, FL

A rank of #4 makes Florida International University one of the best values for general physics. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

5

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #5 makes Stanford University one of the best values for general physics. 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. General Physics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

6

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for general physics value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $18,138. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,826. That is a strong return on a $18,138 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

7

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #7 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,229 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $42,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

8

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $20,115. General Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

10

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #10 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $43,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

11

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #11 spot for general physics value this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. General Physics graduates carry a median of $16,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $68,987. That is a strong return on a $16,800 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

12

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #12 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

13

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #13 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. General Physics graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,982 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $53,597. That is a strong return on a $15,982 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming landed the #15 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. General Physics graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. General Physics graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #16 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $17,113 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $41,474. That is a strong return on a $17,113 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #17 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $88,623. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

18

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,831 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

19

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

20

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University earned the #20 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,772. Early-career general physics graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

21

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #21 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $12,184. General Physics graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $68,664 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #22 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,508 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $78,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #23 position for value in general physics this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,990 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $38,748. That is a strong return on a $21,990 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

24

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for general physics. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $30,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

25

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #25 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $19,977. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.