by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Sciences](/majors/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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 555 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
The physical sciences program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Physical Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physical Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $27,136 early in their careers. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #4. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $34,239. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $44,874 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,553 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $43,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Skyline College placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $9,000. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $29,340. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton earned the #12 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,583 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $42,271 early in their careers. Set against $17,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University landed the #14 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #15 for value in physical sciences this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,688. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Irvine Valley College earned the #16 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the physical sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,136. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $31,815. That is a strong return on a $12,136 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #18 for value in physical sciences this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $27,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Oxnard College placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
University Of Florida placed #20 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $53,468 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Pasadena City College earned the #21 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Cypress College earned the #22 position for value in physical sciences this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
College Of The Canyons landed the #23 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #24 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #25 for value in physical sciences this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for physical sciences this year:
The following schools rounded out the strongest physical sciences values:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #76 | Cosumnes River College | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #77 | Indiana University Southeast | New Albany, IN | Full Report |
| #78 | Skagit Valley College | Mount Vernon, WA | Full Report |
| #79 | Tulsa Community College | Tulsa, OK | Full Report |
| #80 | Northern Oklahoma College | Tonkawa, OK | Full Report |
| #81 | Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom | Lakewood, WA | Full Report |
| #82 | Lamar University | Beaumont, TX | Full Report |
| #83 | University Of South Florida Main Campus | Tampa, FL | Full Report |
| #84 | California State University Channel Islands | Camarillo, CA | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in physical sciences:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #110 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA | Full Report |
| #111 | University Of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Full Report |
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Physical Sciences. Browse the parent area of study.
View All Physical Sciences Concentrations >
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 555 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 555 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.