2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Wisconsin

[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin River Falls, our #1 best value for physical sciences in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $30,000. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $62,196. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $38,899 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,292 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $54,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,292 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for physical sciences. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,803. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $65,362. That is a strong return on a $23,803 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,558. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ripon College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ripon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,900. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,973. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,385. Set against $26,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Beloit College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Beloit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,886. Students borrow a median of $21,968 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $33,499. That is a strong return on a $21,968 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Saint Norbert College came in at #8 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,580. Students borrow a median of $26,578 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $48,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Norbert College admits about 86% of applicants.
Carthage College came in at #9 for value in physical sciences this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Physical Sciences graduates of Carthage College earn a median of $45,188 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
More Physical Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.