2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Tennessee
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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 Tennessee
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
For return on investment in physical sciences, no school beat Austin Peay State University this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $42,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $36,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,104. Physical Sciences graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,104 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $31,256. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Students borrow a median of $24,999 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $41,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,999 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,301. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $45,444. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,748. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,160. That is a strong return on a $22,748 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Rhodes College earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,110. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,078. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $40,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhodes College admits about 50% 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 · 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.
