2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical science students.
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2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
Virginia Western Community College earned the #1 spot for value among biological & physical science schools in the Southeast Region. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $7,334. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $27,786. Set against $7,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lord Fairfax Community College one of the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $8,400. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wytheville Community College earned it the #3 place for biological & physical science. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,542 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $40,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical science will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $49,340. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $10,948. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $23,059. That is a strong return on a $10,948 median debt.
John Tyler Community College landed the #6 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University placed #7 among the best values for biological & physical science. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $19,349. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #8 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $12,495. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $46,129. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.
New College Of Florida landed the #9 spot for biological & physical science value this year. 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. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $19,500. 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.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise came in at #10 for value in biological & physical science this year. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $17,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Virginias College At Wise admits about 28% of applicants.
New River Community College came in at #11 for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $13,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $46,892. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #12 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,277 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #13 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Students borrow a median of $10,400 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $25,468. That is a strong return on a $10,400 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #14 for value in biological & physical science this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $21,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $31,125. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Georgia placed #16 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, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $20,600. Biological & Physical Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $25,508 early in their careers. Set against $20,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Tidewater Community College landed the #17 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Students borrow a median of $9,787 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $30,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave came in at #18 for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $8,650. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $40,020 early in their careers. Set against $8,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University placed #19 among the best values for biological & physical science. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #20 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,500 in tuition and fees. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. 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 Virginia Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #22 for value in biological & physical science this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $36,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Spalding University landed the #23 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,000. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $29,862 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $51,978. That is a strong return on a $29,862 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
