2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 250 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,239. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for physical sciences. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $29,340. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $7,250. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $27,136. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Princeton University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $27,203 early in their careers. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cuny City College placed #6 among the best values for physical sciences. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,908. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,136. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $31,815. That is a strong return on a $12,136 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $7,500. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $19,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,323. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,219. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #12 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,810 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $42,687 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,031. Physical Sciences graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $52,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,738 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $59,562. Set against $20,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,755 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $9,000. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $26,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College landed the #18 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,194, while out-of-state students pay about $8,074. Physical Sciences graduates of Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earn a median of $22,496 early in their careers.
Towson University placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,666. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $52,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #20 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,366. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $77,988. Set against $12,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Delaware earned the #21 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,581. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $72,332. Set against $25,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Gloucester County College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Students borrow a median of $13,236 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $38,274. Set against $13,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kean University came in at #23 for value in physical sciences this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $50,645. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #24 spot for physical sciences value this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,785. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $52,645. Set against $26,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Salisbury University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,668 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,388. Set against $25,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical sciences this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 250 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
