2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools in California
[Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/physical-science/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical science schools.
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2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Science Schools
Leading the list is American River College, our #1 best value for physical science in California. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Long Beach City College one of the best values for physical science. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the physical science program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Chaffey College one of the best values for physical science. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Santa Cruz is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
More Physical Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
