2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Virginia
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
Old Dominion University tops our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools in Virginia. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary one of the best values for physical sciences. Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of South Prince George. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,090, compared with $14,970 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary earn a median of $20,219 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $50,304. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,256. Physical Sciences graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $38,666 early in their careers. Set against $23,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $43,800. Set against $25,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University placed #6 among the best values for physical sciences. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,422 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $46,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,763 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $35,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Christopher Newport University placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,178. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $39,245. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
College Of William And Mary landed the #9 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,705. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $35,130. That is a strong return on a $19,705 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,425. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $30,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,405 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $49,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,405 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Randolph Macon College landed the #12 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,466. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Randolph Macon College generally make around $40,317. Set against $26,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University came in at #13 for value in physical sciences this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,414. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $45,877. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Richmond earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $22,881. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 37 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.
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
