by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Sciences](/majors/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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1522 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of The Canyons, our #1 best value for physical sciences in the United States. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $9,776. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot 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. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for physical sciences. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $27,136 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Oxnard College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Irvine Valley College earned the #8 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, 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.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #12 for value in physical sciences this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the physical sciences program here. 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%.
Golden West College placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. 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.
Pasadena City College earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College earned the #15 position for value in physical sciences this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #16 position for value in physical sciences this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Cypress College earned the #17 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
American River College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $11,196. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #21 among the best values for physical sciences. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $19,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College landed the #22 spot for physical sciences value this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #23 position 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, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Norco College earned the #24 position for value in physical sciences this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the physical sciences program here. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College landed the #25 spot for physical sciences value this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences value ranking:
Explore the best-value physical sciences schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1522 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.