2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
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
College Of The Canyons tops our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools in the Far Western Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. 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.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,075. 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.
College Of San Mateo came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the physical sciences program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
San Diego Mesa College placed #6 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #8 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. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,944. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Irvine Valley College came in at #9 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $5,707. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #14 spot for physical sciences value this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #15 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton came in at #16 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, 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 $42,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,583 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Norco College landed the #17 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College landed the #20 spot for physical sciences value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College landed the #21 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Solano Community College earned the #22 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College landed the #24 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, 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.
American River College came in at #25 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,105. Physical Sciences graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical sciences this year:
Narrow Physical Sciences Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 249 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
