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Cheapest Physics Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

CUNY Hunter College delivers the nation's most affordable physics education at just $2,446 net cost while maintaining a solid 61% graduation rate. The City University of New York system dominates affordable physics training, claiming seven of the top ten spots with net costs under $5,000. California State Universities follow closely behind, with campuses in Carson and Los Angeles offering physics degrees around $3,600-$4,100. Berea College stands as the lone private option in this affordable range, using its unique work-study model to keep costs competitive at $4,483 despite a sticker price near $50,000. Physics graduates enter a growing field where the Northeast corridor hosts major research facilities like Brookhaven National Laboratory and corporate R&D centers from IBM to Lockheed Martin. The gap between the cheapest option at Hunter and pricier alternatives like Cal State Fullerton at $5,646 shows how location and institutional funding models create dramatic cost differences. With graduation rates spanning from 19% to 69% across these programs, students face clear tradeoffs between immediate affordability and long-term completion prospects.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $9,918
Net Price Range
$31,390
Avg. Program Earnings
47.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Physics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
4 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
5 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
6 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
7 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
8 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
9 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
10 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
11 $4,783 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
12 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
13 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
14 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
15 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
16 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
17 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
18 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
19 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
20 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
21 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
22 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
23 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
24 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
25 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
26 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
27 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
28 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
29 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
30 $7,563 $5,612 28.6% 96.9%
31 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
32 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
33 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
34 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
35 $8,265 $9,058 56.4% 74.4%
36 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
37 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
38 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
39 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
40 $8,543 $9,000 36.3% 56.3%
41 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
42 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
43 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
44 $9,110 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
45 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
46 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
47 $9,287 $8,032 32.7% 70.1%
48 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
49 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
50 $9,918 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Hunter College so affordable for physics students?

Hunter College benefits from New York State funding that keeps tuition low for residents while serving a large student population that spreads fixed costs efficiently. The $2,446 net cost reflects substantial financial aid combined with base tuition of $7,382. Hunter maintains strong faculty research connections to nearby institutions like Columbia and NYU. The 47.86% acceptance rate ensures selective admission while keeping class sizes manageable for laboratory work.

How do California State University physics programs compare in affordability?

Cal State Dominguez Hills and Los Angeles offer physics degrees for around $3,600-$4,100 net cost with base tuition near $7,000. Both schools maintain high acceptance rates above 85%, making admission accessible for California residents. Fullerton costs slightly more at $5,646 but delivers a stronger 69.2% graduation rate. These campuses serve the aerospace and tech industries concentrated in Southern California.

Is Berea College worth considering despite being private?

Berea's work-study requirement eliminates tuition for all students, bringing the net cost down to $4,483 despite a $49,326 sticker price. The college maintains a 62% graduation rate with highly selective 24.58% admission. Students work 10-15 hours weekly in campus jobs while studying. This model works particularly well for physics majors who can gain research experience through paid laboratory assistant positions.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in affordable physics programs?

The data shows mixed results, with Hunter College achieving 61% graduation at the lowest cost while some programs struggle significantly. Ohio University regional campuses cost around $4,500-$5,300 but graduate only 19-20% of students. CUNY City College balances reasonable costs at $3,486 with a solid 54.7% graduation rate. Students should weigh immediate savings against completion likelihood when choosing programs.

Where do most affordable physics graduates find employment?

New York area graduates benefit from proximity to financial firms using quantitative analysts, defense contractors, and research universities. California physics majors often enter aerospace companies like SpaceX and Boeing or semiconductor firms in Silicon Valley. Ohio and Texas graduates frequently work in manufacturing, energy companies, or pursue graduate school. The national average starting salary for physics graduates reaches around $50,000-$65,000 across these regions.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.