2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Southwest Region
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biological & physical science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Central Arizona College the best value for a degree in biological & physical science in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Tyler Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $14,869. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Downtown earned it the #3 place for biological & physical science. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $25,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $35,952. Set against $25,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
A rank of #5 makes Texas Tech University one of the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
