2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Massachusetts
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
For return on investment in physical sciences, no school beat University Of Massachusetts Lowell this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,023. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,324. Set against $25,023 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
A rank of #2 makes Harvard University one of the best values for physical sciences. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,846. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $55,376. Set against $25,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Salem State University one of the best values for physical sciences. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Massachusetts Institute Of Technology one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $18,500. Physical Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $74,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Williams College came in at #6 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Williams College earn a median of $40,840 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #7 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $52,885. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Amherst College landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $15,398. Physical Sciences graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $59,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $54,669. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #10 spot for physical sciences value 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, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,666. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. 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. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wellesley College came in at #12 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,902. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #13 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. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Western New England University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $47,820 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,520. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Western New England University generally make around $64,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Smith College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $40,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Northeastern University earned the #16 position for value in physical sciences this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,441 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $57,744 early in their careers. Set against $25,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,484. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $46,641. That is a strong return on a $25,484 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
College Of The Holy Cross landed the #18 spot for physical sciences value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from College Of The Holy Cross generally make around $47,313. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $68,154. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Boston College earned the #20 position for value in physical sciences this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $66,132. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #21 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,765. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute generally make around $91,834. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
More Physical Sciences Rankings
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
