2027 Best Value General Physical Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools
Middlesex County College tops our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $7,250. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $27,136. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general physical sciences will find it at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #2. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the general physical sciences program here. 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. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $27,203. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Clovis Community College Fresno came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 general physical sciences 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. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $23,219. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Utah Valley University placed #6 among the best values for general physical sciences. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #7 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences 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 placed #8 among the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the general physical sciences program here. General Physical Sciences 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 landed the #9 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $19,815. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
El Camino Community College District landed the #10 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, 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 earned the #11 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $5,208, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Median earnings reach $44,486 ten years out.
Chaffey College came in at #12 for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #13 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $8,224. General Physical Sciences 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 came in at #14 for value in general physical sciences this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. 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 landed the #15 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,906, compared with $5,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $35,132. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College landed the #16 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. General Physical Sciences 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 general physical sciences 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, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. 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 placed #18 among the best values for general physical sciences. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $9,980. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Basin College earned the #19 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Columbia Basin College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Students from in state pay about $6,555 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College landed the #20 spot for general physical sciences value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Shoreline Community College earned the #21 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $62,009 early in their careers. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #22 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $11,653. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $34,214. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #23 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences 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 came in at #24 for value in general physical sciences this year. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the general physical sciences program here. General Physical Sciences graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earned the #25 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,418, with out-of-state students paying around $5,976. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general physical sciences this year:
Other General Physical Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general physical sciences schools at other degree levels:
View All General Physical Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 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.
