2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Fort Hays State University, our #1 best value for physical sciences in Kansas. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $43,750. Set against $28,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $41,626. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Kansas State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,138 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,543. That is a strong return on a $14,138 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Pittsburg State University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
