2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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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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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for biological & physical sciences in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $10,348 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New College Of Florida earned it the #2 place for biological & physical sciences. New College Of Florida is a small public school located in the city of Sarasota. In-state tuition and fees average $6,916, with out-of-state students paying around $29,944. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from New College Of Florida generally make around $32,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $41,561. Set against $25,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $19,844. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise landed the #7 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $43,988. Set against $17,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Washington State University placed #8 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $46,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #9 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $17,750. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $31,125. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #10 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $20,600. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $25,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University placed #11 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $37,419. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Alaska Anchorage placed #12 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,738 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,354 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $32,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Downtown earned the #13 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $35,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington placed #14 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $44,525 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #16 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,419 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $25,311. That is a strong return on a $26,419 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Washington University earned the #17 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,574 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $41,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #19 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $26,975. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $36,709 early in their careers. Set against $26,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Michigan State University placed #20 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $25,213. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earned the #21 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Whiting. In-state tuition and fees average $23,850. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,428 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $66,716. That is a strong return on a $24,428 median debt.
Virginia Wesleyan College came in at #22 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,500. Students borrow a median of $27,925 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $45,517. That is a strong return on a $27,925 median debt. Virginia Wesleyan College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Oregon landed the #23 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,917 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $38,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The Evergreen State College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Olympia. In-state tuition and fees average $9,264, compared with $31,905 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,346 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of The Evergreen State College earn a median of $27,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,346 median debt. The Evergreen State College admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #25 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $25,234. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biological & physical sciences this year:
Other Biological & Physical Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value biological & physical sciences schools at other degree levels:
View All Biological & Physical Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 382 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
