2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general physics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physics students.
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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Physics Schools
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for general physics in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. General Physics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $20,194. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $39,825. That is a strong return on a $20,194 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #4 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for general physics. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $13,426. General Physics graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of Delaware, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $26,572. Early-career general physics graduates make about $52,741. That is a strong return on a $26,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Stony Brook University came in at #6 for value in general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,683 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $44,562. Set against $21,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 spot for general physics value this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo placed #8 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. General Physics graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Le Moyne College placed #9 among the best values for general physics. Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,330. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $25,739. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Le Moyne College generally make around $57,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #10 for value in general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. General Physics graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Rowan University placed #11 among the best values for general physics. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $27,000. Early-career general physics graduates make about $36,435. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for general physics. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. That is a strong return on a $26,867 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Haverford College placed #13 among the best values for general physics. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,398 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #14 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $35,689. Set against $26,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #15 spot for general physics value this year. The College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Ewing. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $56,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for general physics value this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $16,155. Early-career general physics graduates make about $74,352. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Cornell University placed #17 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,961 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $50,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Colgate University placed #18 among the best values for general physics. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,306. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $16,286. Early-career general physics graduates make about $52,924. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Temple University landed the #19 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $54,642. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester landed the #20 spot for general physics value this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $19,000. Early-career general physics graduates make about $60,865. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Catholic University Of America came in at #21 for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $25,771. General Physics graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $65,120 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,771 median debt. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #22 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,958. General Physics graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Seton Hall University came in at #23 for value in general physics this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $63,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,830 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $73,567. That is a strong return on a $23,830 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value General Physics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general physics:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
