by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 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.
Seattle Community College South Campus earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in Washington. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,208, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,486 ten years after entry.
Skagit Valley College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Basin College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,555, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $63,976. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shoreline Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $62,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Seattle Community College Central Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Puget Sound Community College landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Students borrow a median of $14,245 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom landed the #7 spot for physical sciences value this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wenatchee Valley College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,552, while out-of-state students pay about $5,054. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Wenatchee Valley College generally make around $55,642. Set against $11,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highline Community College came in at #9 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Students borrow a median of $8,958 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Highline Community College earn a median of $55,459 early in their careers. Set against $8,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College North Campus earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,643 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,739. Set against $16,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bellevue College landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,436, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,839 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Bellevue College earn a median of $67,771 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark College earned the #12 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $43,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edmonds Community College landed the #13 spot for physical sciences value this year. Edmonds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lynnwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,810, compared with $10,875 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,025 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Edmonds Community College generally make around $35,618. That is a strong return on a $16,025 median debt.
Whatcom Community College placed #14 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Bellingham, Whatcom Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,296, compared with $11,435 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,588 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Whatcom Community College earn a median of $51,466 early in their careers. Set against $16,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cascadia Community College earned the #15 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,296. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cascadia Community College generally make around $27,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Green River Community College landed the #16 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
Eastern Washington University came in at #17 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #18 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $17,011 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $41,903 early in their careers. Set against $17,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #19 for value in physical sciences this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,905 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $33,178 early in their careers. Set against $22,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Central Washington University landed the #20 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,607 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Pacific Lutheran University came in at #21 for value in physical sciences this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Washington University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Students borrow a median of $23,351 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $43,575. Set against $23,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Whitworth University earned the #23 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Students borrow a median of $24,873 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $39,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Whitman College landed the #24 spot for physical sciences value this year. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,518. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Whitman College generally make around $32,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.