[Other Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/other-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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools to find the best return on investment for other physical science students.
Finding the Best Value Other Physical Science School for You
Where you study other physical science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed 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 large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Other Physical Science graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Early-career other physical science graduates make about $42,595. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in other physical science will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $17,101. Early-career other physical science graduates make about $60,797. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other physical science schools. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Other Physical Science graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physical science degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Students looking for strong value in other physical science will find it at Suny Empire State College, which ranked #4. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $20,738. Early-career other physical science graduates make about $59,562. That is a strong return on a $20,738 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values for other physical science. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the other physical science program here. Early-career other physical science graduates make about $59,622. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value other physical science schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, other physical science degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $65,799. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #7 spot for other physical science value this year. Located in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Other Physical Science graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other physical science degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $62,903. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value other physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Typical student debt for other physical science graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, other physical science degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $35,464. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #9 for value in other physical science this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Other Physical Science graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Early-career other physical science graduates make about $60,004. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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/) 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.
