2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools in the Far Western Region
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
American River College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools in the Far Western Region. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $14,105. Physical Science graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Long Beach City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at Seattle Community College Central Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $14,699. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. That is a strong return on a $14,699 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at Skagit Valley College, which ranked #5. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $44,860. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College landed the #6 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College South Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,486 ten years after entry.
Columbia Basin College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $17,170. Early-career physical science graduates make about $63,976. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College North Campus earned the #9 position for value in physical science this year. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $16,643 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $48,739. That is a strong return on a $16,643 median debt.
Clark College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Clark College earn a median of $43,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt.
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Olympia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,245 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $39,430. Set against $14,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #12 among the best values for physical science. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,976. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $17,154. Physical Science graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt.
Shoreline Community College placed #13 among the best values for physical science. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $62,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Highline Community College landed the #14 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $8,958. Physical Science graduates of Highline Community College earn a median of $55,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellevue College came in at #15 for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,436, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $67,771. That is a strong return on a $18,839 median debt.
Green River Community College came in at #16 for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
Western Nevada College placed #17 among the best values for physical science. Located in the city of Carson City, Western Nevada College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,168, compared with $12,834 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Western Nevada College generally make around $27,007. Set against $15,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cascadia Community College landed the #18 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Cascadia Community College earn a median of $27,352 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edmonds Community College came in at #19 for value in physical science this year. Edmonds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lynnwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,810, compared with $10,875 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,025 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Edmonds Community College generally make around $35,618. That is a strong return on a $16,025 median debt.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #20 for value in physical science this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, 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. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Physical Science Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 73 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.
[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.
