2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in New York
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for general physics students.
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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Physics Schools
Stony Brook University tops our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools in New York. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $21,683 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $44,562 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,683 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #2. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $22,232. General Physics graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Le Moyne College, which ranked #4. Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,330. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $57,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,500. General Physics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University landed the #6 spot for general physics value this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $15,961. General Physics graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $50,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Colgate University placed #7 among the best values for general physics. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $16,286. General Physics graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Rochester ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. 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 $19,000 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $27,000. General Physics graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $48,374 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #10 for value in general physics this year. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $20,270. General Physics graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $60,348 early in their careers. Set against $20,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
New York University landed the #11 spot for general physics value this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $34,624. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University landed the #12 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
