2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools in the Far Western Region. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #2 place for biological & physical science. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical science will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #4 place for biological & physical science. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $8,945. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $25,221. Set against $8,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $7,785. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $19,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #6 for value in biological & physical science this year. 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. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College placed #7 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $23,311. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego City College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College landed the #12 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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.
Canada College came in at #13 for value in biological & physical science this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #14 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $10,288. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College placed #16 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College placed #17 among the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $20,108. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #18 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. 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.
Victor Valley College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,205. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $26,780 early in their careers. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #20 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,324 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $31,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,324 median debt.
Yuba College placed #22 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #23 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College earned the #24 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Gavilan College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $5,939. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biological & physical science value ranking:
Narrow Biological & Physical Science Schools by State
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 · 125 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
