2027 Best Value Physical Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/physical-science/) 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical science students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Science Schools
Leading the list is California State University Fresno, our #1 best value for physical science in the United States. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $15,598. Early-career physical science graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Chadron State College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. Set against $22,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $41,421. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wesleyan University earned it the #5 place for physical science. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for value in physical science this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $27,491. Physical Science graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Set against $27,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University earned the #7 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $25,000. Early-career physical science graduates make about $72,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Other Physical Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value physical science schools at other degree levels:
View All Physical Science Rankings >
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
