[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 425 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $10,888. Physical Sciences graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,303. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,239. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,874. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $11,000. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $43,723. Set against $16,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Fullerton landed the #7 spot for physical sciences value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $41,840. Set against $17,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,136. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $31,815. That is a strong return on a $12,136 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,374. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $22,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #13 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $39,771 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University East Bay ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,287. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Florida Online landed the #17 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $40,691. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,063. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $48,822 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,572. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #20 for value in physical sciences this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,000. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,334. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #21 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Marshall University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $11,953. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $32,143. That is a strong return on a $11,953 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,826. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $42,581. Set against $23,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast placed #24 among the best values for physical sciences. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,860 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $36,181. Set against $19,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical sciences this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 425 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 425 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).
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
