2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Nebraska At Omaha the best value for a degree in physical sciences in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Chadron State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,912 median debt.
Fort Hays State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $28,808. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $43,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,821. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,725. Set against $24,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,974 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,153. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $54,076. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Cloud State University placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $46,744. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pittsburg State University came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #11 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,062 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,809. That is a strong return on a $22,062 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Grinnell College landed the #12 spot for physical sciences value this year. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $38,888. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,187. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $47,352. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,884 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $39,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Kansas landed the #15 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,626. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #16 position for value in physical sciences this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $47,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #17 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,058 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $38,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,952. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,674. Set against $23,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #19 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,308. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $36,984. Set against $26,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Kansas State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $14,138 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,543. Set against $14,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Iowa State University landed the #21 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,173. Physical Sciences graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $57,030 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University came in at #22 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University came in at #23 for value in physical sciences this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $59,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,655 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #25 spot for physical sciences value this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,360 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
