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Cheapest Physics Colleges in Pennsylvania

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

Swarthmore College creates one of higher education's most striking cost paradoxes, with physics students paying just $18,686 after aid despite a sticker price of $62,412. This selective liberal arts college accepts fewer than 7% of applicants yet ranks among Pennsylvania's most affordable physics programs when financial aid factors in. The price spread across Pennsylvania's physics programs stretches from Lincoln University's $12,912 to private colleges approaching $26,000 annually. Public universities dominate the lower cost tiers, with East Stroudsburg and Indiana University of Pennsylvania both under $18,000. Pennsylvania's growing tech sector, anchored by companies like Comcast and expanding pharmaceutical research facilities, creates steady demand for physics graduates who understand both theoretical principles and practical applications. The state's mix of research universities and smaller colleges provides physics students multiple pathways into careers spanning from medical device development to energy consulting.
47
Programs
$12,912 – $44,876
Net Price Range
$38,147
Avg. Program Earnings
71.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

47 Physics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
2 $15,089 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
3 $17,216 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
4 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
5 $19,258 $47,675 59.6% 75.2%
6 $19,524 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
7 $20,231 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
8 $20,800 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
9 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
10 $21,205 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
11 $21,664 $28,794 42.2% 84.9%
12 $21,900 $54,960 66.5% 69.7%
13 $22,673 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
14 $22,746 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
15 $23,281 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
16 $23,331 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
17 $23,553 $13,544 51.6% 87.8%
18 $25,210 $68,300 89.4% 14.2%
19 $25,544 $28,185 71.4% 88.1%
20 $25,717 $43,810 66.2% 66.3%
21 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
22 $26,539 $57,400 74.1% 76.7%
23 $27,263 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
24 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
25 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
26 $27,700 $42,286 60.3% 94.1%
27 $28,132 $50,320 72.5% 76.7%
28 $29,219 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
29 $29,843 $52,000 71.1% 67.0%
30 $30,074 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
31 $30,086 $64,230 82.7% 56.3%
32 $30,314 $60,240 80.2% 65.5%
33 $30,470 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
34 $30,485 $59,196 76.6% 82.2%
35 $30,528 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%
36 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
37 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
38 $32,191 $63,475 83.4% 34.9%
39 $32,496 $62,574 88.1% 33.6%
40 $33,549 $62,180 89.2% 37.0%
41 $34,978 $47,146 75.5% 87.5%
42 $35,487 $51,340 79.8% 88.7%
43 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
44 $39,061 $68,380 86.0% 36.2%
45 $40,429 $64,772 86.2% 32.6%
46 $40,690 $62,560 85.6% 30.8%
47 $44,876 $64,701 92.4% 23.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Swarthmore College affordable despite its high acceptance selectivity?

Swarthmore accepts only 6.93% of applicants but provides substantial financial aid that reduces average costs to $18,686. The college's $62,412 sticker price drops significantly through need-based aid packages. This combination of selectivity and aid generosity places Swarthmore among Pennsylvania's most affordable physics programs. Students receive nearly $44,000 in average aid annually.

How do public university physics programs compare on graduation rates?

Pennsylvania's public physics programs show graduation rates ranging from 43.8% at East Stroudsburg to 69.8% at West Chester University. Slippery Rock achieves a 65.9% graduation rate while maintaining costs under $20,000. Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduates 52.4% of students with average debt loads of $26,000. These rates reflect varying academic support structures and student preparation levels.

Does the PA State Grant significantly impact physics program affordability?

The PA State Grant helps reduce in-state costs at public universities to between $10,500-$12,500 annually. Students at Kutztown pay $11,230 in-state compared to $21,205 after aid calculations. Millersville offers similar in-state rates of $12,262 versus net costs of $20,231. The grant system makes public physics programs particularly accessible for Pennsylvania residents.

Where do physics graduates typically find employment in Pennsylvania?

Physics graduates earn an average of $36,674 according to available data from Kutztown University. Pennsylvania's healthcare sector, led by UPMC, employs physics graduates in medical device development and imaging technology roles. Pharmaceutical companies throughout the state seek physics backgrounds for research and development positions. The tech sector, including Comcast, also recruits physics graduates for technical analysis and engineering support roles.

What acceptance rates should physics applicants expect at affordable programs?

Most affordable physics programs maintain high acceptance rates, with East Stroudsburg accepting 93.6% and Indiana University accepting 91.9% of applicants. Kutztown accepts 96.1% of students while Millersville admits 92.4%. These generous acceptance policies make quality physics education accessible to students with varying academic backgrounds. Only Swarthmore among affordable options maintains highly selective admissions at 6.9%.

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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.