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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Southeast Region

34 Colleges in the United States
$22,236 Avg Student Debt
$64,531 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Physics Badge [General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 174 schools to find the best return on investment for general physics students.

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2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Southeast Region

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

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general physics schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,138 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

4

Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $46,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of North Georgia one of the best values for general physics. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.

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6
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #6 spot for general physics value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,765 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,765 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans. General Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $62,647 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,200 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.

8

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #8 spot for general physics value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,831 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

9

University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. 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.

10

West Virginia University placed #10 among the best values for general physics. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

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11

University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #11 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Students borrow a median of $22,108 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.

12

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $28,750. Early-career general physics graduates make about $70,150. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

13

Middle Tennessee State University placed #13 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

14

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #14 for value in general physics this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans. General Physics graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,490 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

15
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College placed #15 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $19,906. Early-career general physics graduates make about $41,505. Set against $19,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.

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16

Appalachian State University landed the #16 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $22,096 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $79,066. Set against $22,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.

17

University Of Louisville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. General Physics graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.

18

Georgia State University came in at #18 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,296 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $31,001. Set against $26,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

19
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #19 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,019. General Physics graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.

20

Kennesaw State University placed #20 among the best values for general physics. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.

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21

George Mason University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,529. General Physics graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

22

The University Of Tennessee placed #22 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,344 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $49,826. That is a strong return on a $25,344 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #23 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,797. General Physics graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $62,903 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,797 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

24

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $49,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

25
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University earned the #25 position for value in general physics this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $25,649. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $43,800. Set against $25,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

Rest of the Top 34 Best Value General Physics Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general physics this year:

26
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
27
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
28
29
30
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
31
32
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
33
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
34
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 174 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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