2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in Virginia
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biological & physical science students.
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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in Virginia
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 J Sargeant Reynolds Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $10,948. Biological & Physical Science graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $23,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lord Fairfax Community College one of the best values for biological & physical science. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. 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 $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 John Tyler Community College earned it the #3 place for biological & physical science. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical science will find it at Virginia Western Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Students borrow a median of $7,334 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $27,786. That is a strong return on a $7,334 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical science will find it at Piedmont Virginia Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College earned the #7 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Students borrow a median of $9,787 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $30,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $21,923. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #9 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $8,650. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $40,020. That is a strong return on a $8,650 median debt.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise earned the #10 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Virginias College At Wise admits about 28% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $36,709 early in their careers. Set against $26,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $37,500. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $45,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Wesleyan College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
