2027 Best Value Physical Science Associate’s Degree Schools
[Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/physical-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical science students.
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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 earned the #1 spot for value among physical science schools in the United States. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. 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.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $27,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Clovis Community College Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Queensborough Community College one of the best values for physical science. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,219 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Utah Valley University earned the #6 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #7 for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $44,323. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt. 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. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $26,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $7,500. Early-career physical science graduates make about $19,815. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District came in at #10 for value in physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Seattle Community College South Campus landed the #11 spot for physical science value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,208, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Median earnings reach $44,486 ten years out.
Chaffey College earned the #12 position for value in physical science this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. 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 placed #13 among the best values for physical science. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $8,224. Early-career physical science graduates make about $35,768. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Oklahoma College landed the #14 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $11,811 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $10,986. Physical Science graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #16 for value in physical science this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skagit Valley College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #18 for value in physical science this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $9,980. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Columbia Basin College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $17,170 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Columbia Basin College earn a median of $63,976 early in their careers. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #20 among the best values for physical science. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $14,105. Early-career physical science graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shoreline Community College placed #21 among the best values for physical science. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, with out-of-state students paying around $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 placed #22 among the best values for physical science. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #23 position for value in physical science this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College earned the #24 position for value in physical science this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $41,322. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom landed the #25 spot for physical science value this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,418, compared with $5,976 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Physical Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical science this year:
Other Physical Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value physical science schools at other degree levels:
View All Physical Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
