by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physics schools.
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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 New Jersey. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Physics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. Physics graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey one of the best values for physics. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $43,490. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Rowan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physics graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $36,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,974. Early-career physics graduates make about $35,689. That is a strong return on a $26,974 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
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The College Of New Jersey came in at #6 for value in physics this year. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,429 in student loans. Physics graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,429 median debt. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.