2026 Best Value Physics Schools in Massachusetts
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physics Schools
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for physics in Massachusetts. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Physics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $26,632 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $48,937. That is a strong return on a $26,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #3. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $22,177. Early-career physics graduates make about $48,324. Set against $22,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Physics graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $54,773. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College came in at #6 for value in physics this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #7 among the best values for physics. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $53,543. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Boston University landed the #8 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Northeastern University placed #9 among the best values for physics. 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. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,797. Early-career physics graduates make about $49,399. That is a strong return on a $26,797 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Brandeis University landed the #10 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,653. Physics graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $47,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,653 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Tufts University placed #11 among the best values for physics. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $68,154. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Holy Cross placed #12 among the best values for physics. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $26,387. Early-career physics graduates make about $51,478. Set against $26,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 18%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
