2026 Best Value Physics Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for physics in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Physics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for physics. 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, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

3

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

4

Florida International University
Miami, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #4 place for physics. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $19,349. Physics graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

5

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #5 makes Stanford University one of the best values for physics. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #6 for value in physics this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $18,138. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,826. Set against $18,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

7

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #7 position for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $23,229 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $42,057. Set against $23,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

8

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #8 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $11,904. Early-career physics graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #9 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

10

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Physics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $43,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

11

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #11 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $16,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $68,987. Set against $16,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

12

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #12 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

13

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #13 position for value in physics this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Physics graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Physics graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

14

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #14 spot for physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $15,982. Physics graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $53,597 early in their careers. Set against $15,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

15

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming earned the #15 position for value in physics this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #16 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $17,113. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $41,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

17

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #17 position for value in physics this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Physics graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $88,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

18

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in physics this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,831. Physics graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,831 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

19

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

20

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University earned the #20 position for value in physics this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Physics graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

21

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #21 spot for physics value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $68,664. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #22 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $15,508 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $78,272. That is a strong return on a $15,508 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

23

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #23 among the best values for physics. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,990. Early-career physics graduates make about $38,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

24

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Physics graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $30,203. That is a strong return on a $21,948 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #25 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $19,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.