2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Kentucky
[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 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Kentucky
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
Our analysis ranked Northern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in physical sciences in Kentucky. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #2. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,499. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,584. Physical Sciences graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $34,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Louisville one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,411. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,842. That is a strong return on a $24,411 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky placed #6 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Centre College earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Centre College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,820. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,560 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Centre College generally make around $32,327. Set against $26,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,770. Students borrow a median of $26,766 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $46,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bellarmine University admits about 86% 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
