2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District tops our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $64,561. That is a strong return on a $18,747 median debt. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.

3

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

A rank of #3 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for general physics. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $19,026. Early-career general physics graduates make about $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

4

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

5

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. General Physics graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.

6

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University earned the #6 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

7

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #7 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $27,508. General Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $36,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

8

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #8 for value in general physics this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $65,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

9

Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University placed #9 among the best values for general physics. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $21,237. General Physics graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #10 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,925 in student loans. General Physics graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Set against $25,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

11

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #11 among the best values for general physics. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Physics graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $30,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas landed the #12 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $21,200. General Physics graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,200 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

13

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $20,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $107,496. That is a strong return on a $20,650 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

14

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #14 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $22,314. Early-career general physics graduates make about $34,611. Set against $22,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

15

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in general physics this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

16

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $41,737. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

17

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #17 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #18 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. General Physics graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

19

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #19 position for value in general physics this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. General Physics graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $36,832. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

20

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University earned the #20 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $57,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

21

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #21 position for value in general physics this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,522. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $53,329. Set against $17,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.