2027 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools
[Natural Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/natural-sciences/natural-sciences/) 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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for natural sciences students.
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Finding the Best Value Natural Sciences School for You
Where you study natural sciences affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Natural Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Natural Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the natural sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Natural Sciences Schools
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among natural sciences schools in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $39,870. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #2 makes Kapiolani Community College one of the best values for natural sciences. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Students borrow a median of $14,738 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $48,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Leeward Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,214, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $11,068. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $21,784. That is a strong return on a $11,068 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Mainland one of the best values for natural sciences. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the natural sciences program here. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Honolulu Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,174, while out-of-state students pay about $8,310. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $10,868. Natural Sciences graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of $59,006 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,868 median debt.
Bucks County Community College came in at #6 for value in natural sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Natural Sciences graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haskell Indian Nations University earned the #7 position for value in natural sciences this year. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $600. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $24,914. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Massasoit Community College landed the #8 spot for natural sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,129 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $29,587. Set against $10,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College earned the #9 position for value in natural sciences this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the natural sciences program here. Natural Sciences graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Laramie County Community College landed the #10 spot for natural sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Public University System earned the #11 position for value in natural sciences this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $23,438. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Hawaii Maui College placed #12 among the best values for natural sciences. Located in the city of Kahului, University Of Hawaii Maui College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,284, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Students borrow a median of $11,824 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $51,654. That is a strong return on a $11,824 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #13 for value in natural sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $15,996. Natural Sciences graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Rio Salado College came in at #14 for value in natural sciences this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
Windward Community College landed the #15 spot for natural sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Kaneohe, Windward Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,194, compared with $8,330 for out-of-state students. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,930 in student loans. Natural Sciences graduates of Windward Community College earn a median of $32,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,930 median debt.
Mohave Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #18 among the best values for natural sciences. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $5,673. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks landed the #19 spot for natural sciences value this year. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the natural sciences program here. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dominican University landed the #20 spot for natural sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $25,054. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $27,081. Set against $25,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #21 spot for natural sciences value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $11,376. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Bayamon Central University earned the #22 position for value in natural sciences this year. Bayamon Central University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bayamón. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,986. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Bayamon Central University generally make around $14,326. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt. Bayamon Central University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Cayey placed #23 among the best values for natural sciences. University Of Puerto Rico Cayey is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Cayey. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Cayey generally make around $11,821. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Located in the city of San Juan, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $16,666. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro generally make around $30,631. That is a strong return on a $16,666 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earned the #25 position for value in natural sciences this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Students borrow a median of $10,051 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $22,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for natural sciences this year:
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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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
