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2026 Best Value Physics Schools in Montana

[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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for physics students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Physics Schools in Montana

2026 Best Value Physics Schools in Montana

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

1

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

$8,552 In-State Tuition & Fees

$24,342 Avg Student Debt

$44,511 Median Earnings (10yr)

For return on investment in physics, no school beat The University Of Montana this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,342. Physics graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

2

Montana State University
Bozeman, MT

$8,460 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,635 Avg Student Debt

$53,263 Median Earnings (10yr)

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana State University earned it the #2 place for physics. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,635. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $47,703. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.