by our College Data Analytics Team
[Natural Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/natural-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for natural sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Rio Salado College, our #1 best value for natural sciences in Arizona. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in natural sciences will find it at Mohave Community College, which ranked #2. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $14,766. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Phoenix College earned it the #3 place for natural sciences. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $15,204. Natural Sciences graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes South Mountain Community College one of the best values for natural sciences. Located in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #6 spot for natural sciences value this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #7 spot for natural sciences value this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Phoenix placed #8 among the best values for natural sciences. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $15,736. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $50,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $13,750. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #10 position for value in natural sciences this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. 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 $14,204. Natural Sciences graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Scottsdale Community College placed #11 among the best values for natural sciences. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the natural sciences program here. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $48,039. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.