2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in Massachusetts

[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) 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 14 schools to find the best return on investment for general physics students.
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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Physics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Massachusetts Lowell the best value for a degree in general physics in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. General Physics graduates carry a median of $22,177 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $48,324. Set against $22,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. General Physics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Bridgewater State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $26,632. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. That is a strong return on a $26,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. 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. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $18,500. Early-career general physics graduates make about $54,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $27,000. Early-career general physics graduates make about $53,666. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Boston University placed #6 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Wellesley College placed #7 among the best values for general physics. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $48,902. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Smith College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $18,941. Early-career general physics graduates make about $40,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University earned the #9 position for value in general physics this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $49,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,797 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Brandeis University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. Set against $25,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Holy Cross ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $26,387. Early-career general physics graduates make about $51,478. Set against $26,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of The Holy Cross admits about 18% of applicants.
Tufts University earned the #12 position for value in general physics this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
Boston College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Boston College earn a median of $66,132 early in their careers. Set against $18,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute placed #14 among the best values for general physics. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $60,765. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $26,259. General Physics graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $91,834 early in their careers. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester Polytechnic Institute admits about 60% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.