2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the New England Region
[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 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Bowdoin College earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in the New England Region. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,832. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Colby College one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,016. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. That is a strong return on a $22,016 median debt. The acceptance rate is 7%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,023 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $48,324 early in their careers. Set against $25,023 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,846 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $55,376. Set against $25,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $49,439. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Maine landed the #7 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #8 for value in physical sciences this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $74,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Vermont earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,607. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $40,840. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Keene State College earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $41,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #12 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Amherst College placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $59,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #14 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,500. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $54,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Yale University placed #15 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Yale University earn a median of $65,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #16 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,915. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #18 position for value in physical sciences this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,432. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Brown University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #20 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $40,767. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Boston University placed #21 among the best values for physical sciences. 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 $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $39,157. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #22 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $52,064. Set against $26,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Connecticut earned the #23 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,226 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $43,630. Set against $26,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Wellesley College placed #24 among the best values for physical sciences. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $11,075. Physical Sciences graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #25 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,018. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,041. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences value ranking:
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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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
