2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Students borrow a median of $29,725 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Reading Area Community College earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania State University World Campus one of the best values for physical sciences. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $88,789 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $28,263. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $45,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $29,258. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,617. Set against $29,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $38,396. Set against $27,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,249. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $50,524. That is a strong return on a $21,249 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,334. Physical Sciences graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $28,040 early in their careers. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Haverford College placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $74,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #12 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Susquehanna University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Selinsgrove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Susquehanna University earn a median of $39,097 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Muhlenberg College landed the #14 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $35,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,692 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $51,562. Set against $26,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Bryn Mawr College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,920. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Bryn Mawr College generally make around $35,668. Set against $23,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bryn Mawr College admits about 29% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #17 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Students borrow a median of $25,706 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $59,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lafayette College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,931 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $59,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,931 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Franklin And Marshall College placed #20 among the best values for physical sciences. Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,794. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,411 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Franklin And Marshall College generally make around $43,020. That is a strong return on a $20,411 median debt. Franklin And Marshall College admits about 28% of applicants.
Lehigh University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,707 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Dickinson College came in at #22 for value in physical sciences this year. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,014. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University placed #23 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $54,826. That is a strong return on a $26,297 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University came in at #24 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,151 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $49,215. That is a strong return on a $30,151 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University placed #25 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $77,371 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
More Physical Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
