by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 174 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of The Canyons tops our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools in California. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, 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.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. San Diego Mesa 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 $6,999. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. 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.
Irvine Valley College placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #9 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $44,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,500. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Pasadena City College came in at #14 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. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College placed #15 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. 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.
Reedley College landed the #16 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Hartnell College earned the #18 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Folsom Lake College landed the #19 spot for physical sciences value this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Santa Ana College came in at #20 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $11,196. Physical Sciences graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
California State University Fullerton landed the #21 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,583. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $42,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Solano Community College came in at #22 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College earned the #23 position for value in physical sciences this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #24 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. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Riverside City College earned the #25 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for physical sciences this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 174 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.