2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools
American River College tops our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences 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 El Camino Community College District one of the best values for general physical sciences. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. 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 general physical sciences program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seattle Community College Central Campus earned it the #4 place for general physical sciences. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general physical sciences will find it at Skagit Valley College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $44,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College landed the #6 spot for general physical sciences value this year. 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. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College South Campus placed #7 among the best values for general physical sciences. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,208, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.
Columbia Basin College landed the #8 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College North Campus landed the #9 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $16,643. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $48,739. Set against $16,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark College landed the #10 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $43,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,818 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $14,245. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $39,430. That is a strong return on a $14,245 median debt.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #12 among the best values for general physical sciences. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt.
Shoreline Community College placed #13 among the best values for general physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, compared with $7,905 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $16,700. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $62,009. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Highline Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $8,958. General Physical Sciences 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 general physical sciences this year. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. In-state tuition and fees average $4,436, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,839 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Bellevue College generally make around $67,771. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Green River Community College came in at #16 for value in general physical sciences this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
Western Nevada College earned the #17 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Carson City, Western Nevada College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,168, with out-of-state students paying around $12,834. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $27,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cascadia Community College earned the #18 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,157, compared with $11,296 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Cascadia Community College generally make around $27,352. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edmonds Community College landed the #19 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,810, with out-of-state students paying around $10,875. Students borrow a median of $16,025 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $35,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #20 among the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Narrow General Physical Sciences Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
[General Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
