2027 Best Value Physics Education Master’s Degree Schools
[Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physics education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 65 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physics education schools.
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2027 Best Value Physics Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in physics education in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,178 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #3. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $16,000. Early-career physics education graduates make about $41,847. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $54,729. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #6 spot for physics education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $17,125. Early-career physics education graduates make about $61,829. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #7 among the best values for physics education. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for physics education value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Western Governors University earned the #9 position for value in physics education this year. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $25,145. Physics Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $58,818 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,145 median debt.
Rhode Island College landed the #10 spot for physics education value this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $29,659 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Eastern Washington University placed #11 among the best values for physics education. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $23,009 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Set against $23,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #13 for value in physics education this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $53,042 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College came in at #14 for value in physics education this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $61,432. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physics education schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $22,009 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #16 position for value in physics education this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,795 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University placed #17 among the best values for physics education. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $14,757 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $64,232. Set against $14,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #18 position for value in physics education this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #19 spot for physics education value this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $49,031. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri placed #20 among the best values for physics education. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $25,741. Early-career physics education graduates make about $45,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University earned the #22 position for value in physics education this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $27,174. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #23 among the best values for physics education. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #24 position for value in physics education this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Students borrow a median of $24,452 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. Set against $24,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Western Michigan University placed #25 among the best values for physics education. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physics Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physics education:
Other Physics Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Physics Education rankings across degree levels:
View All Physics Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
