by our College Data Analytics Team
[Natural Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/natural-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong natural sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for natural sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Erie Community College, our #1 best value for natural sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,400. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology generally make around $22,252. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Daemen College one of the best values for natural sciences. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Daemen College generally make around $6,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Temple University earned it the #4 place for natural sciences. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $31,000. Natural Sciences graduates of Temple University earn a median of $45,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New York University earned it the #5 place for natural sciences. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $21,897. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Hofstra University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete the natural sciences program here. Natural Sciences graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $55,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Felician College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lodi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,300. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Felician College generally make around $56,976. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.