2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical science schools.
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2027 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
Northern Oklahoma College tops our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Physical Science graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned it the #2 place for physical science. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the physical science program here. 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.
Rio Salado College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. 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. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos, University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Taos Campus generally make around $35,132. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College earned the #6 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Mesa Community College placed #7 among the best values for physical science. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #9 among the best values for physical science. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. 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. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #10 position for value in physical science this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Scottsdale Community College placed #11 among the best values for physical science. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. 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 $13,084 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
Arizona State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $22,250. Early-career physical science graduates make about $41,421. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
