2027 Best Value Physics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physics Schools
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value physics schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #2 place for physics. 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. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,194 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $39,825. Set against $20,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value 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 physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $13,426. Physics graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Delaware is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Physics graduates carry a median of $26,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $52,741. Set against $26,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Stony Brook University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Physics graduates carry a median of $21,683 in student loans. Physics graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $44,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #7 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #8 among the best values for physics. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Le Moyne College landed the #9 spot for physics value this year. Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $40,330. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,739. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Le Moyne College generally make around $57,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,062. Early-career physics graduates make about $103,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #11 spot for physics value this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $17,500. Early-career physics graduates make about $51,766. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. 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. Physics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $36,435. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the best values for physics. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Haverford College came in at #14 for value in physics this year. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #15 position for value in physics this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,974. Physics graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $35,689 early in their careers. Set against $26,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,429 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $56,617. That is a strong return on a $24,429 median debt. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $74,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University landed the #18 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,961 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $50,933. That is a strong return on a $15,961 median debt. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Colgate University placed #19 among the best values for physics. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $16,286. Physics graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. Set against $16,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Temple University came in at #20 for value in physics this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Physics graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $54,642. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Rochester placed #21 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $19,000. Physics graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Catholic University Of America landed the #22 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. That is a strong return on a $25,771 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #23 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Seton Hall University earned the #24 position for value in physics this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $63,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #25 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,529. Early-career physics graduates make about $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Physics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physics this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 34 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.
