2026 Best Value Engineering Physics Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Engineering Physics master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 142 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Engineering Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach to be the best-value Engineering Physics school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Daytona Beach, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,074. The median Engineering Physics program 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
Out of the 142 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Cornell University landed the #2 spot. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. 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. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%. See the full Cornell University profile
You'll get strong value at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3 this year. Based in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, 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. About 27% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of California San Diego profile
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Oklahoma one of the best values in the United States. Located in Edmond, OK, University Of Central Oklahoma is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering Physics program debt is $23,321. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,351. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Central Oklahoma
You'll get strong value at Harvard University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $101,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%. Read the full report on Harvard University
Rice University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. The median Engineering Physics program debt is $11,904. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $89,718. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. About 8% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Rice University
Northwestern University landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Northwestern University Engineering Physics students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,363. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Northwestern University has an acceptance rate of 8%. More on Northwestern University
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. The median Engineering Physics program debt is $26,774. Median earnings reach $82,592 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%. More on Illinois Institute Of Technology
Stevens Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,462. Typical Engineering Physics student debt is $26,767. Graduates go on to earn a median of $108,772 ten years after entry. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Stevens Institute Of Technology
Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $102,491 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York University placed #11 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical Engineering Physics student debt is $21,897. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,509 ten years after entry. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%. More on New York University
University Of Maine ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. This public school is set in Orono, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. University Of Maine Engineering Physics students take on a median of $25,984 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,653. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine has an acceptance rate of 97%. More on University Of Maine
Mcmurry University placed #13 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Mcmurry University
Carnegie Mellon University placed #14 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Iowa State University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Read the full report on Iowa State University
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Tulane University Of Louisiana report
Belmont University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. More on Belmont University
Benedict College
Benedict College offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Read more about Benedict College
Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Read the full report on Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management
Bradley University placed #20 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. Read more about Bradley University
Washington University In St Louis came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
University Of Arizona placed #22 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Marian University Indiana offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. See the full Marian University Indiana profile
Ouachita Baptist University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Ouachita Baptist University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #25 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. See the full Southwestern Oklahoma State University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Engineering Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Get the full Wright State University Main Campus report
Drew University
Drew University placed #27 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. See the full Drew University profile
Santa Clara University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Get the full Santa Clara University report
Randolph College
Randolph College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Randolph College
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Boston
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Jacksonville University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full Jacksonville University profile
Yale University
Yale University landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Yale University
Morehouse College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read the full report on Morehouse College
Mount Wachusett Community College landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Mount Wachusett Community College
Tufts University
Tufts University came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Tufts University
Xavier University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Xavier University report
Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute report
Taylor University came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. More on Taylor University
Dartmouth College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Dartmouth College
Siena College
Siena College placed #41 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Siena College
Anderson University Indiana offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Anderson University Indiana
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Read the full report on Trevecca Nazarene University
University Of California Davis placed #44 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. More on University Of California Davis
Case Western Reserve University came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. See the full Case Western Reserve University profile
Northern Kentucky University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. More on Northern Kentucky University
Arizona State University placed #47 among the best-value Engineering Physics schools in the United States. More on Arizona State University
Albion College
Albion College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Albion College
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
Letourneau University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Physics schools. Read the full report on Letourneau University
Related Engineering Physics Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Engineering Physics Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Engineering Physics Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Physics Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Physics Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Physics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Physics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Physics Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 142 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).