<p>Isn’t Rutgers generally considered to be a good place for physics?</p>
<p>Perhaps Stony Brook and Minnesota may be worth a look as out-of-state publics with lower list prices.</p>
<p>The physics undergraduate major is rather well defined, typically including courses like:</p>
<ul>
<li>Frosh/soph math (calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations)</li>
<li>Frosh/soph physics using frosh/soph math</li>
<li>Quantum mechanics</li>
<li>Electromagnetism</li>
<li>Advanced mechanics</li>
<li>Statistical and thermal physics</li>
<li>Advanced physics lab</li>
<li>Advanced physics elective(s)</li>
<li>Recommended advanced math like real analysis, complex analysis, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p>So you may want to check the offerings at each school to see how complete they are and how frequently they are offered. Undergraduate research opportunities are obviously helpful if the goal is to go to a PhD program.</p>