2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Missouri

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
For return on investment in physical sciences, no school beat University Of Missouri Kansas City this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,821. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $39,725. That is a strong return on a $24,821 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the physical sciences program here. 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 came in at #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,058 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $38,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,058 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Lindenwood University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,197. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #6 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,655 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $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 #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,360 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,586. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.