by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in physical sciences, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,478. Physical Sciences graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,287. Physical Sciences graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Southern Utah University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,886. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of the best values for physical sciences. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,365. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,288. Set against $22,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $42,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Utah State University came in at #6 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,184. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $68,664. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Mesa State College placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $24,508 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $38,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,508 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $29,318. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $34,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $19,857 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $41,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Montana ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,342. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Students borrow a median of $15,417 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #14 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,617 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,205 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $56,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Boise State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,150 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $38,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Montana State University came in at #17 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,250. Physical Sciences graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $29,030 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #18 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #19 for value in physical sciences this year. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,521. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $79,523. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Colorado College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $37,342. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
University Of Denver ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $56,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.