2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Massachusetts

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

Williams College
Williamstown, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williams College earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $40,840. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

3

Amherst College
Amherst, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amherst College earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $15,398. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $59,271. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.

4

Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA

A rank of #4 makes Bridgewater State University one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Students borrow a median of $25,846 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $55,376. Set against $25,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.

5

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $79,222 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

7

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #7 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,023. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $48,324 early in their careers. Set against $25,023 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #8 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

9

Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.

10

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

11

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College came in at #11 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $40,436. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

12

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #12 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $39,157. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

13

Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,041. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. That is a strong return on a $22,041 median debt. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.

14

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,441 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $57,828. That is a strong return on a $25,441 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.

15

Brandeis University
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University earned the #15 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,484. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $46,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.

16

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

17

College Of The Holy Cross
Worcester, MA

College Of The Holy Cross landed the #17 spot for physical sciences value this year. College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of College Of The Holy Cross earn a median of $47,313 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of The Holy Cross admits about 18% of applicants.

18

Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Boston College earn a median of $66,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.