2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in New York
[Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for physics education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in New York
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 New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $61,604. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, 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.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for physics education. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $13,389. Physics Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $73,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $16,000. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $67,212. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #6 position for value in physics education this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #7 among the best values for physics education. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College placed #8 among the best values for physics education. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $28,304. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $72,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #9 position for value in physics education this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny At Fredonia came in at #10 for value in physics education this year. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $34,764. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #11 spot for physics education value this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $24,452 in student loans. 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. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport placed #12 among the best values for physics education. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $64,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $42,778. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #15 position for value in physics education this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $51,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Albany came in at #16 for value in physics education this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $23,521. Physics Education graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $54,318 early in their careers. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta landed the #17 spot for physics education value this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $19,032. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $46,329. Set against $19,032 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Cortland landed the #18 spot for physics education value this year. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, compared with $18,784 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $25,837 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $50,309 early in their careers. Set against $25,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University At Buffalo came in at #19 for value in physics education this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $50,041. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton placed #20 among the best values for physics education. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $55,319. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattanville College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,604. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $25,372 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $46,551. That is a strong return on a $25,372 median debt. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Roberts Wesleyan College landed the #22 spot for physics education value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,826. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $55,532. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
St Johns University New York placed #23 among the best values for physics education. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,529. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $57,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Rochester landed the #24 spot for physics education value this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $53,127. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College came in at #25 for value in physics education this year. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $38,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Physics Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physics education value ranking:
More Physics Education Rankings
View All Physics Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
