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Cheapest Physics Colleges in Texas

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

Rice University stands out dramatically among Texas physics programs, charging a $58,128 sticker price yet delivering the lowest net cost at $12,640 through generous aid packages. This private institution achieves a 95.7% graduation rate while accepting just 8.68% of applicants, creating an unusual scenario where the most selective program becomes surprisingly affordable after aid. Public options span from Texas Southmost College at $5,458 net cost to Texas A&M Corpus Christi at $15,137, showing significant variation even within the state system. Physics graduates in Texas benefit from the state's massive healthcare infrastructure, particularly Houston's Texas Medical Center, which employs thousands of medical physicists, radiation specialists, and research scientists. The oil and gas industry also creates demand for physics-trained professionals in geophysics and energy research. With earnings ranging from $25,967 to over $57,000 for recent graduates, Texas physics programs connect students to varied career paths across multiple high-growth industries.
40
Programs
$5,458 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$44,334
Avg. Program Earnings
57.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

40 Physics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
2 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
3 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
4 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
5 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
6 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
7 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
8 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
9 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
10 $12,640 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
11 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
12 $13,853 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
13 $14,041 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
14 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
15 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
16 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
17 $15,235 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
18 $16,025 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
19 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
20 $17,435 $14,564 70.8% 84.7%
21 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
22 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
23 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
24 $19,734 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
25 $19,988 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
26 $20,071 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
27 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
28 $20,841 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
29 $20,924 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
30 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
31 $21,352 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
32 $22,587 $34,920 55.2% 91.8%
33 $23,451 $46,500 69.5% 54.4%
34 $23,650 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
35 $25,470 $50,880 68.0% 58.7%
36 $27,401 $42,380 60.2% 65.8%
37 $27,468 $51,058 69.3% 44.8%
38 $33,531 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
39 $41,778 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
40 $41,942 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Rice University's physics program affordable despite its high tuition?

Rice University demonstrates how elite private schools can become accessible through substantial financial aid. While the published tuition reaches $58,128, the average net price drops to just $12,640 after aid. This puts Rice within reach of many families while maintaining a 95.7% graduation rate. The 8.68% acceptance rate means admission remains highly competitive, but those who qualify often receive significant support.

How do Texas public university physics costs compare across different regions?

Texas public physics programs show surprising cost variation, from $5,458 at Texas Southmost College to $15,137 at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Border region schools like UT Rio Grande Valley ($6,500) and UT El Paso ($10,726) offer particularly low costs. Most programs cluster between $10,000-$15,000 net price. Geography plays a role, with urban campuses like University of Houston ($13,853) typically costing more than smaller regional institutions.

Is the graduation rate gap between schools significant for physics majors?

Graduation rates vary dramatically across Texas physics programs, from 26.8% at Texas Southmost College to 95.7% at Rice University. Most public institutions fall between 40-50%, with notable exceptions like University of Houston at 64.9%. This 69-point spread reflects differences in student preparation, support services, and academic rigor. Students should consider these completion rates alongside cost when making decisions.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in Texas physics?

Acceptance rates span from Rice's highly selective 8.68% to UT El Paso's nearly open admission at 99.92%. Interestingly, some schools with high acceptance rates like Texas A&M Kingsville (96.55%) maintain respectable graduation rates of 45.6%. University of Houston balances moderate selectivity at 66.24% acceptance with strong outcomes at 64.9% graduation rate. Selectivity alone doesn't determine program effectiveness.

Where do Texas physics graduates typically find employment opportunities?

Texas physics graduates benefit from the state's massive healthcare sector, particularly Houston's Texas Medical Center employing medical physicists and radiation specialists. The energy industry creates demand for geophysicists and research positions across major oil companies. With graduate earnings ranging from $25,967 to over $57,000, many find roles in defense contractors, technology firms, and research institutions. The state's large hospital systems like HCA Healthcare and Baylor Scott & White actively recruit physics-trained professionals.

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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.