2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biological & physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
For return on investment in biological & physical sciences, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $10,348. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $36,362 early in their careers. Set against $10,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical sciences will find it at Hudson County Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Students borrow a median of $6,128 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $19,269. That is a strong return on a $6,128 median debt.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,419 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $25,311. Set against $26,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Sussex County Community College one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Sussex County Community College generally make around $27,179. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington generally make around $35,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $12,000. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #7 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $28,263. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $31,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $25,120. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $96,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks earned the #9 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $26,000. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks earn a median of $35,639 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #10 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $34,380. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Touro College came in at #11 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,052. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $15,051. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University landed the #12 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,487 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $35,639. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Bard College placed #14 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,436. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Bard College earn a median of $39,296 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Georgetown University came in at #15 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $14,750. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $22,631. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University earned the #16 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $24,250. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $29,958. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.