2026 Best Value Biophysics Schools in New York

[Biophysics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/biophysics/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for biophysics students.
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2026 Best Value Biophysics Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biophysics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biophysics Schools
For return on investment in biophysics, no school beat Suny At Geneseo this year. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $22,986. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $37,206. That is a strong return on a $22,986 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stony Brook University earned it the #2 place for biophysics. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $18,968. Biophysics graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,968 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
A rank of #3 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for biophysics. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Biophysics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biophysics will find it at University At Buffalo, which ranked #4. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biophysics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the biophysics program here. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Cornell University earned the #6 position for value in biophysics this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $15,005. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Barnard College placed #7 among the best values for biophysics. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biophysics graduates is $17,609. Soon after graduation, biophysics degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University earned the #8 position for value in biophysics this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Biophysics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biophysics graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.