2027 Best Value Physical Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/physical-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical science schools.
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2027 Best Value Physical Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Middlesex County College the best value for a degree in physical science in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $27,136. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queensborough Community College earned it the #2 place for physical science. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $10,052. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at Cuny Medgar Evers College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $27,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #5. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $9,000. Early-career physical science graduates make about $26,948. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #6 position for value in physical science this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $8,224. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #7 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #8 position for value in physical science this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $19,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Reading Area Community College placed #9 among the best values for physical science. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Set against $27,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University landed the #11 spot for physical science value this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $72,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 11 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.
