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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 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.
For return on investment in natural sciences, no school beat Haskell Indian Nations University this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $600 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $28,107. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Logan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Logan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chesterfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,000. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Logan University generally make around $49,628. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Logan University admits about 64% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.