2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools in California
[General Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/) 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physical sciences students.
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2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools in California
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
Our analysis ranked American River College the best value for a degree in general physical sciences in California. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Long Beach City College earned it the #2 place for general physical sciences. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chaffey College earned it the #4 place for general physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $6,952. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences 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 came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. 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 general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $40,920. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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.
