2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biological & physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
For return on investment in biological & physical sciences, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,348 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $36,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical sciences will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
A rank of #4 makes New College Of Florida one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. New College Of Florida is a small public school located in the city of Sarasota. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,916, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of New College Of Florida earn a median of $32,858 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New College Of Florida admits about 73% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Virginias College At Wise earned it the #5 place for biological & physical sciences. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,780, with out-of-state students paying around $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 University Of Virginias College At Wise admits about 28% of applicants.
Portland State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $27,500. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #7 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $25,162. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $35,952. That is a strong return on a $25,162 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Dominican University earned the #8 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Georgia placed #10 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,600 in student loans. 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.
Washington State University placed #11 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, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $46,288. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #12 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $31,125. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Anchorage landed the #13 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,738, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. Students borrow a median of $17,354 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Alaska Anchorage generally make around $32,699. That is a strong return on a $17,354 median debt.
Grand Valley State University came in at #14 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $44,525. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #15 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $26,419. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $25,311. That is a strong return on a $26,419 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earned the #16 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $35,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #17 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $31,080. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #18 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,500. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $45,517. Set against $27,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Western Washington University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $19,574. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. That is a strong return on a $19,574 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Oregon placed #20 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $22,917. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $38,285. That is a strong return on a $22,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #21 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $36,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The Evergreen State College came in at #22 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Olympia. Students from in state pay about $9,264 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,905 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,346 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from The Evergreen State College generally make around $27,555. Set against $22,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $35,639. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame placed #24 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $75,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Spalding University came in at #25 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,000 in tuition and fees. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,862 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Spalding University earn a median of $51,978 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biological & physical sciences:
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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
