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2026 Best Value Physics Schools in the Southeast Region
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
For return on investment in physics, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Physics graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for physics. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,138 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,826. That is a strong return on a $18,138 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. 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%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,750. Physics graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $46,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Georgia one of the best values for physics. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,439. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
Florida State University placed #6 among the best values for physics. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,765 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,765 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot for physics value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Physics graduates carry a median of $19,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $62,647. Set against $19,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #8 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $21,831 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $21,831 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in physics this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
West Virginia University earned the #10 position for value in physics this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,108. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $31,821. Set against $22,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #12 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $28,750. Physics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $70,150 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #13 position for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Physics graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $43,575. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #14 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,490. Physics graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in physics this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Physics graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of $58,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson College earned the #16 position for value in physics this year. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,430. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $41,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.
Appalachian State University landed the #17 spot for physics value this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $22,096 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $79,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Louisville ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $58,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #19 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Physics graduates carry a median of $26,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $31,001. That is a strong return on a $26,296 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas earned the #20 position for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,019. Physics graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Kennesaw State University earned the #21 position for value in physics this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University landed the #22 spot for physics value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee placed #23 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,344. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. That is a strong return on a $25,344 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #24 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,132, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $24,797. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $62,903. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,348. Physics graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Physics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physics this year:
Narrow Physics Schools by State
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
