2026 Best Value Engineering Physics Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, FL

For return on investment, no school beat Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach this year in the United States. Set in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,074 in tuition and fees. Typical Engineering Physics student debt is $23,667. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $84,131. Set against $23,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

#2

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

You'll get strong value at Cornell University, which ranked #2 this year. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Cornell University Engineering Physics students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $104,043. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants. Get the full Cornell University report

#4

University Of California San Diego

La Jolla, CA

You'll get strong value at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #4 this year. Located in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. The median Engineering Physics program debt is $17,101. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $84,943. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%. More on University Of California San Diego

#5

Rice University

Houston, TX

You'll get strong value at Rice University, which ranked #5 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete their Engineering Physics program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $89,718. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted. See the full Rice University profile

#6

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

Harvard University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. The median Engineering Physics program debt is $16,616. Median earnings reach $101,817 ten years out. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%. See the full Harvard University profile

#7

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Northwestern University Engineering Physics students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Median earnings reach $89,363 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants. Get the full Northwestern University report

#8

Columbia University In The City Of New York

New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical Engineering Physics student debt is $23,258. Median earnings reach $102,491 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York

#8

Queens University Of Charlotte

Queens University Of Charlotte placed #8 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. See the full Queens University Of Charlotte profile

#9

Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University placed #9 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University

#10

Ithaca College

Ithaca College placed #10 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Ithaca College

#11

Benedict College

Benedict College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. See the full Benedict College profile

#12

Trevecca Nazarene University

Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Trevecca Nazarene University

#13

Colorado School Of Mines

Colorado School Of Mines landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report

#14

Florida Polytechnic University

Florida Polytechnic University placed #14 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. See the full Florida Polytechnic University profile

#15

Augustana College South Dakota

Augustana College South Dakota ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. See the full Augustana College South Dakota profile

#16

University Of Southern California

University Of Southern California placed #16 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. More on University Of Southern California

#17

Michigan Technological University

Michigan Technological University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University

#18

Wright State University Main Campus

Wright State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Read more about Wright State University Main Campus

#19

Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Get the full Arkansas Tech University report

#20

Northwest Nazarene University

Northwest Nazarene University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Read more about Northwest Nazarene University

#21

Oral Roberts University

Oral Roberts University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. See the full Oral Roberts University profile

#22

Arizona State University

Arizona State University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Arizona State University profile

#23

Drew University

Drew University placed #23 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. See the full Drew University profile

#24

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

#25

Lehigh University

Lehigh University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. More on Lehigh University

#26

Pacific University

Pacific University placed #26 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Pacific University

#27

University Of Colorado Boulder

University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile

#28

University Of Wisconsin Platteville

University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #28 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. See the full University Of Wisconsin Platteville profile

#29

Trinity University

Trinity University came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Trinity University

#30

Texas Lutheran University

Texas Lutheran University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Texas Lutheran University

#31

Murray State University

Murray State University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Get the full Murray State University report

#32

New Mexico State University Main Campus

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. See the full New Mexico State University Main Campus profile

#33

University Of Chicago

University Of Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read the full report on University Of Chicago

#34

Mount Wachusett Community College

Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Mount Wachusett Community College

#35

Tufts University

Tufts University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. More on Tufts University

#36

Hamline University

Hamline University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. More on Hamline University

#37

Linfield College

Linfield College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Read the full report on Linfield College

#38

Cuny New York City College Of Technology

Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. See the full Cuny New York City College Of Technology profile

#39

Snow College

Snow College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. More on Snow College

#40

Stephen F Austin State University

Stephen F Austin State University placed #40 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. Get the full Stephen F Austin State University report

#41

Albion College

Albion College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Albion College

#42

Ouachita Baptist University

Ouachita Baptist University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Read the full report on Ouachita Baptist University

#43

Siena College

Siena College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Siena College

#44

John Carroll University

John Carroll University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. More on John Carroll University

#45

Whittier College

Whittier College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Whittier College

#46

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Get the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute report

#47

Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Southeast Missouri State University

#48

California Institute Of Technology

California Institute Of Technology ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. See the full California Institute Of Technology profile

#49

Fordham University

Fordham University placed #49 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. See the full Fordham University profile

#50

Southern Connecticut State University

Southern Connecticut State University offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about Southern Connecticut State University