by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Middlesex County College earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $27,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Princeton University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Gloucester County College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Students borrow a median of $13,236 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $38,274. Set against $13,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $52,183. That is a strong return on a $24,031 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,549. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
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Kean University earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $50,645. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rutgers University Newark placed #7 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,787. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $57,709. Set against $24,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,490. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University came in at #9 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $45,533. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $50,097. Set against $24,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $56,617. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $63,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University landed the #13 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,512. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.