by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical sciences schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Chadron State College earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in Nebraska. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,912. Physical Sciences graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,783. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Wayne State College, which ranked #3. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nebraska At Kearney one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $46,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $47,670. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Students borrow a median of $26,733 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $64,369. That is a strong return on a $26,733 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.