by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & physical science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 154 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical science students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biological & physical science degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in biological & physical science, no school beat Moorpark College this year. 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. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #2 spot this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Santiago Canyon College one of the best values for biological & physical science. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $30,509. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Modesto Junior College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $31,960 early in their careers. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College placed #8 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $23,311. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College placed #9 among the best values for biological & physical science. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #10 among the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Irvine Valley College came in at #11 for value in biological & physical science 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. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Skyline College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
College Of The Canyons ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College earned the #14 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science 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.
Cerritos College placed #15 among the best values for biological & physical science. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,945 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $25,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #16 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,363 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $18,345. That is a strong return on a $6,363 median debt.
Lake Land College landed the #17 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,324 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $31,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #19 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $6,500. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $23,128. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #20 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,191. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College earned the #22 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #23 for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #24 for value in biological & physical science this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $8,315 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $27,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biological & physical science:
Explore the best-value biological & physical science schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 154 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 154 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.