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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in physical sciences, no school beat Moorpark College 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,075. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. 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.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santiago Canyon College earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. 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. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College placed #6 among the best values for physical sciences. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences 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. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Miramar College placed #8 among 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, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #9 for value in physical sciences 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $16,553 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,723. Set against $16,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. 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.
Cerritos College placed #11 among the best values for physical sciences. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $8,575. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #15 position for value in physical sciences this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the physical sciences program here. 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.
College Of The Canyons came in at #16 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,308. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #18 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta 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 $9,772. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $6,382. Physical Sciences graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #19 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Cypress College earned the #20 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Golden West College came in at #21 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College landed the #23 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College Fresno ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students.
Citrus College earned the #25 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
These schools also delivered strong value for physical sciences this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.