2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williams College earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,000. 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. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amherst College earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $15,398. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $59,271. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Bridgewater State University one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Students borrow a median of $25,846 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $55,376. Set against $25,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $79,222 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,023. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $48,324 early in their careers. Set against $25,023 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #8 position for value in physical sciences 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. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Smith College came in at #11 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $40,436. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #12 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $39,157. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Mount Holyoke College placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,041. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. That is a strong return on a $22,041 median debt. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Northeastern University earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,441 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $57,828. That is a strong return on a $25,441 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Brandeis University earned the #15 position for value in physical sciences 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 physical sciences graduates is $25,484. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $46,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Tufts University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Holy Cross landed the #17 spot for physical sciences value this year. College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of College Of The Holy Cross earn a median of $47,313 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of The Holy Cross admits about 18% of applicants.
Boston College placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Boston College earn a median of $66,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
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 · 52 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.
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
