2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical science students.
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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biological & physical science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in biological & physical science in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $10,348. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $36,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Hudson County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $6,128. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $19,269 early in their careers. Set against $6,128 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 science, landing the #4 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Sussex County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,544, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $27,179. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #6 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $26,419. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $25,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Genesee Community College came in at #7 for value in biological & physical science this year. Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $15,991. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Genesee Community College earn a median of $40,106 early in their careers. Set against $15,991 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County placed #8 among the best values for biological & physical science. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #9 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science 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. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks earned the #11 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Touro College placed #12 among the best values for biological & physical science. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $20,052. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $20,285. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $15,051. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #13 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $34,380. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Bard College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson. Students from in state pay about $66,436 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $27,000. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Bard College earn a median of $39,296 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Georgetown University earned the #16 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $22,631. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Fordham University landed the #17 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $29,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
