2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
[Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 382 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical sciences students.
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Finding the Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences School for You
Where you study biological & physical sciences affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $36,362. Set against $10,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Moorpark College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $17,075. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,776. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $21,500. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Imperial Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $23,311 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College placed #7 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,945. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $25,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College landed the #8 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Skyline College placed #9 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College came in at #10 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #11 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $23,128 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College landed the #12 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $20,250. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #13 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $7,785. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $19,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Shasta College earned the #15 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,324 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $31,415 early in their careers. Set against $12,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #17 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #18 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Victor Valley College landed the #19 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $26,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,583 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $26,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,583 median debt.
Lake Land College landed the #22 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $7,769. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College earned the #23 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
San Diego City College landed the #24 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $27,451 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biological & physical sciences:
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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 · 382 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 97 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.
