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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 90 schools to find the best return on investment for physics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Austin Community College District the best value for a degree in physics in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Physics graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Physics graduates carry a median of $18,747 in student loans. Physics graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. Set against $18,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Arizona Western College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
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Rice University placed #6 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Physics graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #7 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $27,508. Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $36,328 early in their careers. Set against $27,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #8 spot for physics value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $65,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Angelo State University came in at #9 for value in physics this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,237. Physics graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #10 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,925. Physics graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Physics graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $30,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Texas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,200. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,200 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #13 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,650 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $107,496. That is a strong return on a $20,650 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for physics value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,337. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #15 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Physics graduates carry a median of $22,314 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $34,611. Set against $22,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #16 for value in physics this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $41,737. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #17 among the best values for physics. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $19,738. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Physics graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $36,832 early in their careers. Set against $20,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Tech University came in at #20 for value in physics this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $57,435. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #21 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,522 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $53,329. That is a strong return on a $17,522 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,974. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott generally make around $64,690. That is a strong return on a $24,707 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott admits about 77% 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 · 90 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.