Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics in the Middle Atlantic Region

22 Ranked Colleges
320 Degrees Awarded
$37,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Physics is the 67th most popular major in the country with 14,123 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, physics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $42,475 and had an average of $22,421 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Middle Atlantic region, there were 2,515 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,186 and $23,780 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 320 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $73,944 and $116,843 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in physics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the physics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top 24 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics in the Middle Atlantic Region

#17 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - Baltimore County landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this fairly large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region doctor’s degree physics students list, UMBC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMBC are $21,078, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UMBC

#1

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cornell University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Cornell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cornell University Physics Report

#2

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - College Park landed the #2 spot on the list. UMCP is located in College Park, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UMCP also took the #8 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UMCP

#3

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York
#17 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University at Buffalo. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region. University at Buffalo is a public institution located in Buffalo, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University at Buffalo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University at Buffalo are $26,028.

Full University at Buffalo Physics Report

#4

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York
#16 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stony Brook University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Stony Brook, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

SUNY Stony Brook did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stony Brook University are $25,583.

Read full report on Physics at SUNY Stony Brook

#5

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#20 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Temple University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Temple is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 5 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Temple not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Temple University are $24,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Temple University

#6

University at Albany

Albany, New York
#21 in overall quality

University at Albany did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #6. University at Albany is located in Albany, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UAlbany, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University at Albany are $25,225, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at UAlbany

#7

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, this large public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rutgers New Brunswick, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rutgers New Brunswick are $32,132.

Read more about Physics at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

#8

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware
#12 in overall quality

University of Delaware did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #8. University of Delaware is located in Newark, Delaware and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UD also took the #12 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Delaware are $35,192, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of Delaware

#9

Pennsylvania State University - University Park

University Park, Pennsylvania
#9 in overall quality

Pennsylvania State University - University Park landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking.

Penn State University Park not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pennsylvania State University - University Park are $38,728, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Penn State University Park Physics Report

#9

Binghamton University

Vestal, New York
#23 in overall quality

Binghamton University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Binghamton University is a fairly large public school situated in Vestal, New York. It awarded 2 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Binghamton University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Binghamton University are $25,290, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Binghamton University

#10

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, George Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. GWU is a large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 4 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

GWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at George Washington University are $31,824, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at GWU

#11

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#13 in overall quality

Drexel University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Drexel University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Drexel also took the #13 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Drexel University are $37,074.

Read full report on Physics at Drexel

#15 in overall quality

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. This large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pitt are $40,836, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Pitt Physics Report

#13

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. University of Pennsylvania is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 17 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region doctor’s degree physics students list, UPenn has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at UPenn

#14

Howard University

Washington, District of Columbia
#22 in overall quality

Howard University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #14. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Howard, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Howard are $34,224, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Howard University

#15

New York University

New York, New York
#11 in overall quality

New York University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. New York University is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 15 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

NYU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NYU are $36,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at New York University

#16

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#2 in overall quality

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 15 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Carnegie Mellon also took the #2 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Carnegie Mellon are $47,326.

Read more about Physics at Carnegie Mellon

#1 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Columbia also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194.

Read more about Physics at Columbia

#18

Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York
#18 in overall quality

Syracuse University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This large school is located in Syracuse, New York, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Syracuse also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Syracuse University are $41,714, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Syracuse Physics Report

#19

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York

University of Rochester ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rochester, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Rochester not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Rochester are $50,505.

Full University of Rochester Physics Report

#20

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425.

Read full report on Physics at Johns Hopkins University

#21

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#6 in overall quality

Princeton University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Princeton University is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 15 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470.

Read full report on Physics at Princeton University

#10 in overall quality

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a medium-sized school located in Troy, New York that handed out 9 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at RPI, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are $58,325, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full RPI Physics Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

Featured Physical Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You