2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/physical-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical science schools.
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2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Science Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Bronx Community College, our #1 best value for physical science in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $10,052. Early-career physical science graduates make about $23,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #3 place for physical science. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $8,750. Early-career physical science graduates make about $44,323. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $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 Medgar Evers College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $8,875. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #7 position for value in physical science this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $19,815. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College came in at #8 for value in physical science this year. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, 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.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earned the #9 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,194, compared with $8,074 for out-of-state students. Early-career physical science graduates make about $22,496.
Reading Area Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $13,979. Early-career physical science graduates make about $49,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #11 position for value in physical science this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Villanova University placed #12 among the best values for physical science. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $72,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
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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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
