2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 112 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Middlesex County College tops our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $27,136. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. 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 #3. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #4 place for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for physical sciences. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $8,098. Physical Sciences graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #6 for value in physical sciences this year. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $5,500. Physical Sciences graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Irvine Valley College landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $27,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oxnard College earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Pasadena City College placed #11 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College earned the #12 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
College Of The Canyons earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #14 for value in physical sciences this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University placed #15 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,478. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
West Valley College placed #16 among the best values for physical sciences. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #17 among the best values for physical sciences. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,692. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #18 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College earned the #21 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #22 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $19,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College earned the #23 position for value in physical sciences this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Solano Community College earned the #25 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences value ranking:
Other Physical Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Physical Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Physical Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 112 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.
