2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in New York

[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) 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 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in New York
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
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools in New York. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $29,340. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for physical sciences. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,136 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $31,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny College Of Staten Island one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $8,875. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $27,203 early in their careers. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $8,750. 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. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $19,815. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #8 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,219. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #9 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $26,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Empire State College landed the #10 spot for physical sciences value this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,738. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $59,562. Set against $20,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $8,224. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny At Albany landed the #12 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,252 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University came in at #13 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $37,781. Set against $22,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $40,524 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo came in at #15 for value in physical sciences this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,449 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $27,395 early in their careers. Set against $20,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #16 spot for physical sciences value this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $21,065 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $34,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo earned the #17 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $54,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Le Moyne College placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $40,330 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,739 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Le Moyne College generally make around $57,229. That is a strong return on a $25,739 median debt. Le Moyne College admits about 83% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $18,680 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $35,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland earned the #20 position for value in physical sciences this year. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. In-state tuition and fees average $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,369 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $38,709 early in their careers. Set against $25,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Cornell University landed the #21 spot for physical sciences value this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,465 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $37,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Colgate University earned the #22 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.
Hamilton College placed #23 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,131. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,806. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester came in at #24 for value in physical sciences 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. Students borrow a median of $19,590 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Set against $19,590 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Iona College landed the #25 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,260. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Iona College generally make around $51,530. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical sciences:
More Physical Sciences Rankings
View All Physical Sciences Rankings >
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.