2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in Massachusetts

[Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for physics education students.
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2026 Best Value Physics Education Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Education Schools
Bridgewater State University earned the #1 spot for value among physics education schools in Massachusetts. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Gordon College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $59,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
Lesley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #3 spot this year. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $24,818. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $48,287. Set against $24,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Merrimack College earned it the #4 place for physics education. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Boston College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $60,505. Set against $18,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
More Physics Education Rankings
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.