2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 83 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in physical sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $27,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,303. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #4 place for physical sciences. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,136. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $31,815. Set against $12,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $27,203. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $19,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,810. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $42,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,810 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,755 median debt. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #12 position for value in physical sciences this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $10,052. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $23,219. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #13 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $26,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Empire State College placed #14 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,738 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $59,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montclair State University placed #15 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,031. Physical Sciences graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $50,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #16 spot for physical sciences value this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $8,224. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Towson University earned the #17 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,666 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $52,765. That is a strong return on a $23,666 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,215. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suny At Albany landed the #19 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,252 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $48,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Morgan State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $30,309. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $49,736. Set against $30,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. 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, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,581 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $69,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #22 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,366 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $77,989. That is a strong return on a $12,366 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Reading Area Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,979. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #24 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,644. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #25 position for value in physical sciences this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $43,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical sciences:
Narrow Physical Sciences Schools by State
More Physical Sciences Rankings
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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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 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.
