2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the New England 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
Harvard University tops our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools in the New England Region. 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. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Williams College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $40,840. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amherst College earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $59,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,846. Physical Sciences graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $55,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,846 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $18,500. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $79,222. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #7 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,023. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $48,324. Set against $25,023 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #8 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #9 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $52,821. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bowdoin College came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. That is a strong return on a $20,658 median debt. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Western Connecticut State University landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Students borrow a median of $25,332 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $47,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #12 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,500. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Connecticut State University earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $43,915. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Colby College earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,016. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
University Of Connecticut landed the #15 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,226. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $46,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #16 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $52,064. Set against $26,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Wellesley College landed the #17 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Middlebury College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $54,713. That is a strong return on a $15,948 median debt. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.
Brown University placed #20 among the best values for physical sciences. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,025. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #21 position for value in physical sciences this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $28,500. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $40,767. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College placed #22 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $18,941. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $40,436. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Wesleyan University earned the #23 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,042. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Yale University came in at #25 for value in physical sciences this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $65,336. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical sciences:
Narrow Physical Sciences Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
