2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Colorado

[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 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
For return on investment in physical sciences, no school beat University Of Colorado Denver this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #2 makes Mesa State College one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,310. Physical Sciences graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $29,318 to complete the physical sciences program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #4 makes Fort Lewis College one of the best values for physical sciences. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,417 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $34,159 early in their careers. Set against $15,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at University Of Northern Colorado, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,617 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,118. That is a strong return on a $26,617 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,205 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $56,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,337. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,914. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #8 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,521. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $79,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Colorado College placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,921. Physical Sciences graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 18%.
University Of Denver earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.