[Other Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/other-physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for other physical science students.
Finding the Best Value Other Physical Science School for You
The other physical science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Other Physical Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Other Physical Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #1 spot for value among other physical science schools in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, other physical science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for other physical science. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $17,101. Soon after graduation, other physical science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $29,078. Soon after graduation, other physical science degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $20,738. Other Physical Science graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $59,562 early in their careers. Set against $20,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $22,113. Early-career other physical science graduates make about $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #6 position for value in other physical science this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the other physical science program here. Early-career other physical science graduates make about $65,799. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #7 for value in other physical science this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the other physical science program here. Soon after graduation, other physical science degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $62,903. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington placed #8 among the best values for other physical science. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $25,250. Early-career other physical science graduates make about $35,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #9 for value in other physical science this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $23,393. Other Physical Science graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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).
[Other Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/other-physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
