2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Washington
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
Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in Washington. 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, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,699. 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.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Skagit Valley College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,860. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College South Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,208, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.
Columbia Basin College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Students from in state pay about $6,555 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,668. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,170. Physical Sciences graduates of Columbia Basin College earn a median of $63,976 early in their careers. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College North Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Seattle Community College North Campus generally make around $48,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark College landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. Students from in state pay about $5,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Clark College earn a median of $43,768 early in their careers. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Puget Sound Community College placed #7 among the best values for physical sciences. South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Olympia. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,245. Physical Sciences graduates of South Puget Sound Community College earn a median of $39,430 early in their careers. Set against $14,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom came in at #8 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,418, with out-of-state students paying around $5,976. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,975. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shoreline Community College earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,115, compared with $7,905 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $62,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highline Community College came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,958 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,011 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $39,346 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Bellevue College earned the #12 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,436, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Bellevue College generally make around $67,771. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Green River Community College earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
Cascadia Community College placed #14 among the best values for physical sciences. Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,296. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $7,000. 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.
Eastern Washington University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #16 for value in physical sciences this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,011. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $42,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Edmonds Community College landed the #17 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,875. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Edmonds Community College generally make around $35,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State University placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,905 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $33,178. Set against $22,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Western Washington University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,351. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,136. Set against $23,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,607 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pacific Lutheran University earned the #21 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $44,555. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
Whitworth University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,873 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Whitworth University admits about 90% of applicants.
Whitman College came in at #23 for value in physical sciences this year. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. In-state tuition and fees average $64,050. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,518 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $32,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
