2026 Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Optics/Optical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/optics-optical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for optics/optical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the optics/optical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Optics/Optical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Rowan University, our #1 best value for optics/optical sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Optics/optical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $36,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in optics/optical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $27,000. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $48,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #3 place for optics/optical sciences. 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, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $24,958. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester is a great value for students pursuing a degree in optics/optical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Typical student debt for optics/optical sciences graduates is $19,000. Early-career optics/optical sciences graduates make about $60,865. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
