2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 108 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $53,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,063. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $48,676. That is a strong return on a $19,063 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #3. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #4 place for physical sciences. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,334. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,757. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $40,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,953 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $32,143 early in their careers. Set against $11,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,860 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $36,639. Set against $19,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,279 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $53,712. That is a strong return on a $16,279 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $28,660. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $35,015. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,831. Physical Sciences graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,831 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,553 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $61,926. That is a strong return on a $22,553 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University placed #14 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,449. That is a strong return on a $27,869 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Georgia ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $18,318 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,714. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #16 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,595. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $20,162 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $31,663 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Shepherd University placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,326 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $40,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,326 median debt. Shepherd University admits about 97% of applicants.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #20 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $29,078. Physical Sciences graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,500. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,475. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama landed the #22 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,830. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $49,497. Set against $24,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #23 among the best values for physical sciences. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $50,726. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #24 among the best values for physical sciences. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $23,584 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $34,512. Set against $23,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #25 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,766. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $35,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical sciences this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 108 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.
