2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Virginia
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical sciences schools.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Radford University, our #1 best value for physical sciences in Virginia. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Radford University earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of South Prince George, Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,970. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary generally make around $20,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary admits about 89% of applicants.
Old Dominion University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes George Mason University one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,250. Physical Sciences graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $50,304 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,705 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,130. That is a strong return on a $19,705 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value 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. Students borrow a median of $19,425 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $30,599. That is a strong return on a $19,425 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #7 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,763 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $35,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
James Madison University landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,422. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $46,365. Set against $24,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Christopher Newport University earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,245. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,045. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Set against $20,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #11 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,256 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $38,721. Set against $23,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $48,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Liberty University earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,414. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Richmond placed #14 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $22,881. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of Richmond admits about 22% 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. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
