2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools in the Southwest Region
[Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/physical-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical science schools.
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2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Science Schools
Leading the list is Tulsa Community College, our #1 best value for physical science in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $10,750. Physical Science graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus one of the best values for physical science. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Oklahoma College one of the best values for physical science. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $11,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Salado College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Los Lunas, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,878 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. 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.
Phoenix College placed #6 among the best values for physical science. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $15,204. Physical Science graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Taos Campus came in at #7 for value in physical science this year. University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $5,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of University Of New Mexico Taos Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Mountain Community College earned the #9 position for value in physical science this year. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #10 among the best values for physical science. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $21,752. Early-career physical science graduates make about $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #13 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University came in at #14 for value in physical science this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $41,421. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $48,039. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
