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Cheapest Physics Colleges in California

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

Physics programs in California show dramatic cost variations, with net prices ranging from $3,659 at Cal State Dominguez Hills to $11,750 at UC San Diego. While most Cal State campuses keep costs under $7,000 annually, graduates enter a state economy where physics skills fuel industries from SpaceX's rocket development in Hawthorne to semiconductor research throughout Silicon Valley. Cal State Fullerton stands out with a 69.2% graduation rate despite charging just $5,646 net price, while UC San Diego commands the highest costs but delivers an 87.6% graduation rate. The Cal Grant program helps qualifying California residents by covering tuition at public universities, making even the pricier options more accessible. Physics graduates from Cal Poly Pomona earn $50,022 early in their careers, reflecting strong industry demand in aerospace and tech sectors. Most Cal State physics programs maintain high acceptance rates above 85%, providing multiple pathways into fields that power California's $3.5 trillion economy.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $32,926
Net Price Range
$44,470
Avg. Program Earnings
70.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Physics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
6 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
7 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
8 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
9 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
10 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
11 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
12 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
13 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
14 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
15 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
16 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
17 $12,744 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
18 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
19 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
20 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
21 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
22 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
23 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
24 $13,825 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
25 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
26 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
27 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
28 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
29 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
30 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
31 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
32 $18,902 $63,255 93.2% 2.7%
33 $19,424 $62,326 93.2% 7.0%
34 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
35 $20,979 $35,214 51.5% 48.5%
36 $22,867 $57,614 70.7% 81.9%
37 $25,926 $55,340 67.8% 93.2%
38 $26,217 $35,910 68.1% 91.9%
39 $26,433 $50,670 74.0% 87.2%
40 $26,925 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
41 $27,384 $64,150 95.2% 10.4%
42 $28,046 $41,390 62.5% 69.0%
43 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%
44 $29,871 $49,864 63.4% 75.5%
45 $31,198 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%
46 $31,265 $56,444 81.6% 52.6%
47 $31,663 $62,692 83.2% 18.4%
48 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
49 $32,492 $66,255 93.8% 13.4%
50 $32,926 $51,790 70.1% 82.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Cal State Dominguez Hills the most affordable physics program in California?

Cal State Dominguez Hills offers the lowest net price at $3,659 annually, with an in-state tuition of just $7,064. The Carson campus maintains an 89.13% acceptance rate, making it accessible to most applicants. While the 46.9% graduation rate is lower than some peers, the school provides an entry point into physics education at rock-bottom costs. Students benefit from proximity to aerospace companies in the Los Angeles basin.

How do graduation rates compare across California's affordable physics programs?

Graduation rates vary significantly among affordable programs, from 45.5% at Cal State East Bay to 87.6% at UC San Diego. Cal State Fullerton achieves a strong 69.2% rate while maintaining a $5,646 net price, offering excellent value. Cal State Long Beach matches this performance at 69.9% graduation rate for $8,931 annually. The data shows that lower costs don't always mean lower completion rates.

Where do California physics graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Cal State San Marcos physics graduates earn $57,318 early in their careers, the highest among schools with available earnings data. Cal Poly Pomona follows at $50,022, reflecting strong industry connections in Southern California's aerospace sector. UC San Diego graduates start at $44,971 despite the program's higher costs and selectivity. These earnings reflect California's tech-heavy economy and high cost of living.

Does the Cal Grant program significantly reduce physics program costs?

The Cal Grant program covers tuition and fees at California public universities for eligible students, making even higher-priced options affordable. At UC San Diego, where in-state tuition reaches $15,265, the program can provide substantial savings. Cal State campuses already maintain lower baseline costs, with most charging under $8,000 in tuition annually. The combination of Cal Grants and lower net prices makes California physics education highly accessible.

Is UC San Diego worth the higher cost compared to Cal State alternatives?

UC San Diego charges $11,750 net price but delivers an 87.6% graduation rate and 23.71% acceptance rate, indicating high selectivity and completion success. The La Jolla campus provides access to modern research and closer industry ties in biotech and technology. However, Cal State alternatives like Fullerton offer 69.2% graduation rates at half the cost. The choice depends on career goals and research interests versus immediate affordability.

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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.