2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Michigan
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Michigan
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
Jackson Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools in Michigan. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,960. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,990 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $77,357. Set against $20,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saginaw Valley State University earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,091 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $50,012. Set against $28,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,590. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
North Central Michigan College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Petoskey, North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,430, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,398. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,952. That is a strong return on a $12,398 median debt.
Lake Superior State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,429 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $47,910. That is a strong return on a $22,429 median debt.
Northern Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,500. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #11 among the best values for physical sciences. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,154 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $44,359 early in their careers. Set against $26,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Kalamazoo College landed the #12 spot for physical sciences value this year. Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,900. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Physical Sciences graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $39,940 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #13 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $28,289. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,357. Set against $28,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College came in at #14 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,636 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Hope College earn a median of $21,199 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,636 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
More Physical Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
