2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
[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 145 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for physical sciences. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,583 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $40,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $54,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $43,836. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $10,500. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $22,913. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,000. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,015. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #9 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,482. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,280. Set against $22,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,860 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $46,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $15,750. Physical Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $28,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,279. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $55,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,279 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,991 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $70,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,991 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $18,774 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $45,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Stanford University came in at #15 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $10,492. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Florida State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $68,636. Set against $22,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #17 for value in physical sciences this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,352 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $78,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Rice University landed the #18 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #19 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $21,831 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $21,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #20 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,902. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,482. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #21 for value in physical sciences this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,597 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $22,597 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #22 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #23 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,990 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $62,971. Set against $20,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Chicago ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego earned the #25 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,387. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $70,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences value ranking:
Other Physical Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Physical Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Physical Sciences Rankings >
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 · 145 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 145 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.
