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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$23,573 Avg Student Debt
$83,934 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Badge [Theoretical & Mathematical Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/theoretical-and-mathematical-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for theoretical & mathematical physics students.

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2026 Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the theoretical & mathematical physics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Theoretical & Mathematical Physics Schools

1

University At Buffalo earned the #1 spot for value among theoretical & mathematical physics schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career theoretical & mathematical physics graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #2 place for theoretical & mathematical physics. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the theoretical & mathematical physics program here. Theoretical & Mathematical Physics graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

3

A rank of #3 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the best values for theoretical & mathematical physics. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for theoretical & mathematical physics graduates is $23,529. Early-career theoretical & mathematical physics graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

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 · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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