by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physics education schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics education degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in physics education, no school beat West Chester University Of Pennsylvania this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Messiah College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physics education schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $27,000. Physics Education graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $48,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabethtown College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physics education schools. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,950. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $50,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Duquesne University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $54,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.