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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Physics Education Master’s Degree Schools

8 Colleges in the United States
$23,486 Avg Student Debt
$61,337 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Physics Education Master's Degree Badge [Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) 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 138 schools to find the best return on investment for physics education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Physics Education Schools

1
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for physics education in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $73,962. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for physics education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $75,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

4
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $73,336 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

5

Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

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6

Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #6 for value in physics education this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #7 for value in physics education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $17,125. Physics Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for physics education value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

9
Western Governors University crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

Western Governors University landed the #9 spot for physics education value this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $25,145. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $58,818. That is a strong return on a $25,145 median debt.

10

Utah State University came in at #10 for value in physics education this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $14,757 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $64,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

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Eastern Washington University earned the #11 position for value in physics education this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Students borrow a median of $23,009 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $47,144. Set against $23,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

12
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College placed #12 among the best values for physics education. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $29,659 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

13

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #13 among the best values for physics education. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

14

Brigham Young University Provo placed #14 among the best values for physics education. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $9,117 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

15

Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for physics education value this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $25,134 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $48,847. That is a strong return on a $25,134 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Northern Arizona University came in at #16 for value in physics education this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,009 to complete the physics education program here. Early-career physics education graduates make about $53,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

17

Suny College At Buffalo came in at #17 for value in physics education this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

18
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College earned the #18 position for value in physics education this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $72,491. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.

19

Emporia State University earned the #19 position for value in physics education this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $61,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

20

Ball State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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Suny College At Potsdam placed #21 among the best values for physics education. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $32,485 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

22

Saint Cloud State University landed the #22 spot for physics education value this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $30,795 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $43,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.

23

University Of Central Missouri earned the #23 position for value in physics education this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $25,741. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.

24

Suny College At Brockport earned the #24 position for value in physics education this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

25

North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in physics education this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $25,485. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $46,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physics Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physics education:

26
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY
27
28
29
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
30
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
31
32
33
34
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY
35
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
47
48
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
49
Gordon College crest
Gordon College
Wenham, MA
50

Other Physics Education Degree Levels

Explore the best-value physics education schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Physics Education
Associate's Degrees in Physics Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Physics Education
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View All Physics Education Rankings >

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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 · 138 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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