2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 382 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical science students.
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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
For return on investment in biological & physical science, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,348 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $36,362. That is a strong return on a $10,348 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes New College Of Florida one of the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from New College Of Florida generally make around $32,858. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. New College Of Florida admits about 73% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,472 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $41,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,472 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science 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%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for biological & physical science value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise landed the #7 spot for biological & physical science value this year. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. In-state tuition and fees average $11,780, compared with $28,010 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $17,714. Biological & Physical Science graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Washington State University landed the #8 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $46,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #9 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $31,125. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #10 among the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $20,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $25,508. Set against $20,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Portland State University placed #11 among the best values for biological & physical science. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $37,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Anchorage earned the #12 position for value in biological & physical science this year. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public school located in the city of Anchorage. Students from in state pay about $7,738 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $17,354. Biological & Physical Science graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of $32,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #13 for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $25,162. Biological & Physical Science graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $35,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,162 median debt. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earned the #14 position for value in biological & physical science 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, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #15 for value in biological & physical science this year. 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. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $44,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $26,419. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $25,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University landed the #17 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $19,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. Set against $19,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #18 for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #19 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $36,709. That is a strong return on a $26,975 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Michigan State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $25,213. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Calumet College Of Saint Joseph placed #21 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the suburb of Whiting, Calumet College Of Saint Joseph is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,850. Students borrow a median of $24,428 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earn a median of $66,716 early in their careers. Set against $24,428 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #22 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,500. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $27,925. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $45,517. Set against $27,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon earned the #23 position for value in biological & physical science this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $22,917. Biological & Physical Science graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $38,285 early in their careers. Set against $22,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The Evergreen State College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Olympia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,264, with out-of-state students paying around $31,905. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $22,346 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of The Evergreen State College earn a median of $27,555 early in their careers. Set against $22,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Evergreen State College admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. 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 Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biological & physical science this year:
Other Biological & Physical Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value biological & physical science schools at other degree levels:
View All Biological & Physical Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 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.
