[General Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physical sciences students.
Finding the Best Value General Physical Sciences School for You
The right general physical sciences school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Middlesex County College tops our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $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 general physical sciences. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $27,203. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Clovis Community College Fresno one of the best values for general physical sciences. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Queensborough Community College one of the best values for general physical sciences. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $10,052. General Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,219 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University earned the #6 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #7 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $8,750. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $44,323. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #8 position for value in general physical sciences this year. 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, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $26,948. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #9 for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $19,815. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. 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, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #11 for value in general physical sciences 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, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.
Chaffey College landed the #12 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $6,952. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $8,224. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Northern Oklahoma College landed the #14 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,811 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences 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 general physical sciences this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $35,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College came in at #16 for value in general physical sciences this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Skagit Valley College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $44,860. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #18 for value in general physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general physical sciences program here. General Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Columbia Basin College came in at #20 for value in general physical sciences this year. Columbia Basin College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,555, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. 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 general physical sciences graduates is $14,105. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shoreline Community College placed #22 among the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,115 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,905 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $16,700. General Physical Sciences 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 landed the #23 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $11,653. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #24 for value in general physical sciences 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. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $14,699. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $53,048. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson Community College landed the #25 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $41,322. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general physical sciences:
This ranking is produced 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 · 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).
[General Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/) 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.
