2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools
For return on investment in general physical sciences, no school beat Tulsa Community College this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus one of the best values for general physical sciences. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $10,986. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $35,132. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Oklahoma College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $11,811. General Physical Sciences graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,811 median debt.
Rio Salado College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Los Lunas, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,878 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $10,986. General Physical Sciences graduates of University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Phoenix College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Taos Campus landed the #7 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos, University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $5,136. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $10,986. General Physical Sciences graduates of University Of New Mexico Taos Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #8 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Mountain Community College earned the #9 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #10 among the best values for general physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #11 for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $10,447. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College landed the #12 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #13 for value in general physical sciences this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.
Arizona State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $41,421. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Scottsdale Community College landed the #15 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $48,039. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Narrow General Physical Sciences Schools by State
More General Physical Sciences Rankings
View All General Physical Sciences Rankings >
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
