Finding the Best Value Natural Sciences School for You
The natural sciences program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Natural Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Natural Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Natural Sciences Schools
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools in the United States. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $14,430. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $39,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Kapiolani Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,284 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,738 in student loans. Natural Sciences graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. Set against $14,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in natural sciences will find it at College Of The Mainland, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the natural sciences program here. Natural Sciences graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $38,107. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Lee College one of the best values for natural sciences. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the natural sciences program here. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Leeward Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Students borrow a median of $11,068 to complete the natural sciences program here. Natural Sciences graduates of Leeward Community College earn a median of $21,784 early in their careers. Set against $11,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Honolulu Community College came in at #7 for value in natural sciences this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete the natural sciences program here. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. That is a strong return on a $10,868 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #8 spot for natural sciences value this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kauai Community College came in at #9 for value in natural sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Lihue, Kauai Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,388 for out-of-state students. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $23,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College came in at #10 for value in natural sciences this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $12,580. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haskell Indian Nations University landed the #11 spot for natural sciences value this year. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $600. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $24,914. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras landed the #12 spot for natural sciences value this year. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Set against $5,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
Windward Community College came in at #13 for value in natural sciences this year. Windward Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kaneohe. Students from in state pay about $3,194 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,330. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $10,930. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Windward Community College generally make around $32,654. That is a strong return on a $10,930 median debt.
American Public University System earned the #14 position for value in natural sciences this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned the #15 position for value in natural sciences this year. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. Natural Sciences graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $50,963 early in their careers. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Western Idaho earned the #16 position for value in natural sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $12,497. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $40,963.
Rio Salado College placed #17 among the best values for natural sciences. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $48,564. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bayamon Central University placed #18 among the best values for natural sciences. Located in the city of Bayamón, Bayamon Central University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,986. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $12,125. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Bayamon Central University generally make around $14,326. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Mohave Community College placed #19 among the best values for natural sciences. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro landed the #20 spot for natural sciences value this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $30,631. Set against $16,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #21 for value in natural sciences this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $10,447. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Hawaii Maui College earned the #22 position for value in natural sciences this year. Set in the city of Kahului, University Of Hawaii Maui College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,284 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,824 in student loans. Natural Sciences graduates of University Of Hawaii Maui College earn a median of $51,654 early in their careers. Set against $11,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Puerto Rico Cayey landed the #23 spot for natural sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Cayey, University Of Puerto Rico Cayey is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $5,500. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $11,821. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Christian Brothers University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $27,000. Natural Sciences graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $33,145 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon came in at #25 for value in natural sciences this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,051 to complete the natural sciences program here. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon generally make around $22,810. That is a strong return on a $10,051 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon admits about 40% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for natural sciences this year:
Narrow Natural Sciences Schools by Region
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 · 157 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
[Natural Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/natural-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
