2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in New York
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
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for physical sciences in New York. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $34,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $48,908. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,136. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $31,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny New York City College Of Technology one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $27,203. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,219. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cuny Bronx Community College placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $8,224. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $19,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $9,000. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $26,948. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College landed the #12 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Students borrow a median of $20,738 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $59,562. Set against $20,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,785. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $52,645. Set against $26,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,194 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,074. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Stella And Charles Guttman Community College generally make around $22,496.
Stony Brook University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $35,782. Set against $22,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #16 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,449 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $27,395. Set against $20,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $40,524 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany earned the #18 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,252 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,276. Set against $25,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $21,065 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,250. Physical Sciences graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $55,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,680 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,115. That is a strong return on a $18,680 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
St Johns University New York came in at #22 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,000. Physical Sciences graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $57,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Colgate University landed the #23 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.
Iona College landed the #24 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,260. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Iona College generally make around $51,530. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester landed the #25 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,590 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Set against $19,590 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences value ranking:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
[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.
