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2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in the The Plains States Region

13 Colleges in the United States
$22,555 Avg Student Debt
$65,885 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Physics Badge [General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physics students.

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2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in the The Plains States 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

Leading the list is Missouri University Of Science And Technology, our #1 best value for general physics in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

2
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grinnell College earned it the #2 place for general physics. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,154. Early-career general physics graduates make about $38,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,594 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $54,350 early in their careers. Set against $23,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

4
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

5

University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $47,670. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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6

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #6 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $46,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #8 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. General Physics graduates carry a median of $16,005 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

9
Coe College crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,666 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $44,511. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

10

Washington University In St Louis landed the #10 spot for general physics value this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,553. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

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11
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa earned the #11 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. General Physics graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

12
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College placed #12 among the best values for general physics. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,762. Early-career general physics graduates make about $40,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

13
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College placed #13 among the best values for general physics. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. Set against $17,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants.

14

Bethel University Minnesota earned the #14 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $25,639. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 94 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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