2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools in Pennsylvania
[Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/physical-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for physical science students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Reading Area Community College, our #1 best value for physical science in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Villanova University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
More Physical Science Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
