2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physical sciences students.
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2027 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
Northern Oklahoma College earned the #1 spot for value among general physical sciences schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. Students borrow a median of $11,811 to complete the general physical sciences program here. 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.
A rank of #2 makes University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus one of the best values for general physical sciences. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $35,132. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Rio Salado College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of New Mexico Taos Campus one of the best values for general physical sciences. University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,136. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $10,986. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Taos Campus generally make around $35,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $15,996. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College landed the #6 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College came in at #7 for value in general physical sciences this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general physical sciences program here. General Physical Sciences graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paradise Valley Community College placed #8 among the best values for general physical sciences. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $14,204. General Physical Sciences graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #9 position for value in general physical sciences this year. 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, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the general physical sciences program here. General Physical Sciences graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #11 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
Arizona State University placed #12 among the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $22,250. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $41,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
