[Other Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/physics-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 75 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value other physics schools.
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Finding the Best Value Other Physics School for You
The other physics program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Other Physics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Other Physics Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for other physics in the United States. 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. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Other Physics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Early-career other physics graduates make about $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes Rice University one of the best values for other physics. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the other physics program here. Early-career other physics graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Channel Islands earned it the #4 place for other physics. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $16,997 to complete the other physics program here. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $44,753. Set against $16,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #5 place for other physics. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $23,229 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $42,057. That is a strong return on a $23,229 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University San Marcos landed the #6 spot for other physics value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $19,069 to complete the other physics program here. Other Physics graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $56,018 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,069 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #7 for value in other physics this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $16,800 in student loans. Other Physics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,987 early in their careers. Set against $16,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #8 for value in other physics this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Florida State University landed the #9 spot for other physics value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $20,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #10 for value in other physics this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $43,144. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #11 among the best values for other physics. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Other Physics graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $68,664 early in their careers. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $17,113 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $17,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #13 for value in other physics this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $22,250. Other Physics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $74,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California Davis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,464 to complete the other physics program here. Early-career other physics graduates make about $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $13,426. Early-career other physics graduates make about $84,850. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in other physics this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,960, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $23,625. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $58,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Delaware came in at #17 for value in other physics this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $26,572. Early-career other physics graduates make about $52,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #18 position for value in other physics this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the other physics program here. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $46,572. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #19 spot for other physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Other Physics graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $22,177. Early-career other physics graduates make about $48,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #21 spot for other physics value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for other physics graduates is $23,258. Other Physics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Oregon ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete the other physics program here. Early-career other physics graduates make about $44,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value other physics schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete the other physics program here. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $35,689. That is a strong return on a $26,974 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut earned the #24 position for value in other physics this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $26,324 to complete the other physics program here. Other Physics graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $32,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Yale University placed #25 among the best values for other physics. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Other Physics graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physics degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Other Physics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for other physics this year:
Other Physics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Other Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/physics-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
