by our College Data Analytics Team
[Acoustics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/acoustics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for acoustics students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the acoustics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value acoustics schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in acoustics will find it at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes New York University one of the best values for acoustics. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the acoustics program here. Soon after graduation, acoustics degree recipients from New York University generally make around $34,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.