by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 164 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value physics schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for physics. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,194 in student loans. Physics graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $39,825 early in their careers. Set against $20,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes New Jersey Institute Of Technology one of the best values for physics. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $71,549. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
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Stony Brook University earned the #6 position for value in physics this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,683. Physics graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $44,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $18,000. Physics graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Delaware placed #8 among the best values for physics. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,572. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $52,741. Set against $26,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #9 spot for physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #10 position for value in physics this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $41,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #11 among the best values for physics. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,258. Early-career physics graduates make about $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #12 for value in physics this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #13 among the best values for physics. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #14 for value in physics this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Suny At Binghamton placed #15 among the best values for physics. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Physics graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $51,766. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $27,000. Early-career physics graduates make about $36,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #17 position for value in physics this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Haverford College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,398 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #19 spot for physics value this year. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,429. Early-career physics graduates make about $56,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #20 position for value in physics this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $35,689. That is a strong return on a $26,974 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Colgate University earned the #21 position for value in physics this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Gettysburg College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. Students from in state pay about $66,640 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $26,309 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $43,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,958. Physics graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #25 spot for physics value this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $48,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for physics this year:
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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 · 164 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.