2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
[Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 20 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 Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Central Arizona College the best value for a degree in biological & physical sciences in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston Downtown one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,162 median debt. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Tech University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
