2027 Best Value Physical Science Schools
[Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/physical-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for physical science students.
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Finding the Best Value Physical Science School for You
The physical science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Physical Science 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.
See how we build our rankings
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physical Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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
2027 Best Value Physical Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Science Schools
Middlesex County College tops our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools in the United States. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $27,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny College Of Staten Island one of the best values for physical science. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cuny Medgar Evers College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $27,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Clovis Community College Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $10,052. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University earned the #6 position for value in physical science this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in physical science this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $8,750. Physical Science graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $9,000. Physical Science graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $26,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #9 among the best values for physical science. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $19,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District came in at #10 for value in physical science this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #11 for value in physical science this year. Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $5,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.
Chaffey College landed the #12 spot for physical science value this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $6,952. Early-career physical science graduates make about $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #13 position for value in physical science this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Northern Oklahoma College placed #14 among the best values for physical science. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. Students from in state pay about $5,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $11,811. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned the #15 position for value in physical science this year. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $35,132. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College earned the #16 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skagit Valley College landed the #17 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $44,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,056 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #18 among the best values for physical science. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Columbia Basin College placed #20 among the best values for physical science. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $17,170. Early-career physical science graduates make about $63,976. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College landed the #21 spot for physical science value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Shoreline Community College came in at #22 for value in physical science this year. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. Students from in state pay about $5,115 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $16,700. Physical Science graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $62,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $11,653. Physical Science graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #24 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College placed #25 among the best values for physical science. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $41,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical science value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Physical Science. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
