2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics students.
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2027 Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts
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
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $22,177 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $48,324. Set against $22,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Harvard University one of the best values for physics. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Bridgewater State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,632 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned it the #4 place for physics. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Physics graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $54,773. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $27,000. Early-career physics graduates make about $53,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #6 for value in physics this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wellesley College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Smith College landed the #8 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Physics graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Northeastern University placed #9 among the best values for physics. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,797. Physics graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $49,399 early in their careers. Set against $26,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University came in at #10 for value in physics this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. That is a strong return on a $25,653 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
College Of The Holy Cross placed #11 among the best values for physics. College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,387. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from College Of The Holy Cross generally make around $51,478. Set against $26,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University placed #12 among the best values for physics. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $68,154. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Boston College came in at #13 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Physics graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. Physics graduates of Boston College earn a median of $66,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,101 median debt. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #14 for value in physics this year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $60,765 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute generally make around $91,834. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester Polytechnic Institute admits about 60% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
