by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physics education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physics education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics education degrees they offer, see the list below.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among physics education schools in Pennsylvania. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Geneva College earned it the #2 place for physics education. Located in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,396 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Geneva College generally make around $46,645. That is a strong return on a $26,396 median debt.
Elizabethtown College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $50,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elizabethtown College admits about 78% of applicants.
Messiah College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #4 spot this year. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $48,957. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
Duquesne University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $54,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.