2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in the New England Region

[Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for physics education students.
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2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Education Schools
Rhode Island College earned the #1 spot for value among physics education schools in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $45,088. Set against $29,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #2 makes Bridgewater State University one of the best values for physics education. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Connecticut is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gordon College earned it the #4 place for physics education. Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wenham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,700. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $26,372. Physics Education graduates of Gordon College earn a median of $59,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at Lesley University, which ranked #5. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $24,818 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $48,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.
Merrimack College landed the #6 spot for physics education value this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Set against $26,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
Boston College landed the #7 spot for physics education value this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $18,101. Physics Education graduates of Boston College earn a median of $60,505 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,101 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Providence College earned the #8 position for value in physics education this year. Located in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $63,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,833 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Providence College generally make around $53,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.