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2026 Best Value Physics Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physics Schools
College Of The Canyons earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in California. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Physics graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #2 place for physics. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Skyline College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $17,075. Physics graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #5 place for physics. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Physics graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Physics graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
College Of San Mateo landed the #6 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College earned the #7 position for value in physics this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Irvine Valley College landed the #8 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the physics program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias placed #9 among the best values for physics. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $10,288. Physics graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College earned the #11 position for value in physics this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #12 among the best values for physics. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,500. Early-career physics graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #13 for value in physics this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College placed #14 among the best values for physics. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #15 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Physics graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Physics graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Norco College landed the #16 spot for physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the physics program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College landed the #17 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Folsom Lake College came in at #18 for value in physics this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
California State University Fullerton came in at #19 for value in physics this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College came in at #20 for value in physics this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Solano Community College placed #21 among the best values for physics. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the physics program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Riverside City College came in at #22 for value in physics this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College earned the #23 position for value in physics this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College landed the #24 spot for physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Orange Coast College came in at #25 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physics:
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) 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.
