2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 209 schools to find the best return on investment for general physical sciences students.
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2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is American River College, our #1 best value for general physical sciences in the United States. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $27,136 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. General Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $27,203 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
El Camino Community College District earned the #6 position for value in general physical sciences this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. 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.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $10,052. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $23,219. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #8 for value in general physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. 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.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #9 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #10 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $19,815. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #11 for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $26,948. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #12 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $53,048. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College placed #13 among the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Skagit Valley College earned the #14 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College South Campus placed #15 among the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,208, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,486 ten years after entry.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,194, while out-of-state students pay about $8,074. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Stella And Charles Guttman Community College generally make around $22,496.
Tulsa Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus landed the #18 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $10,986. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $35,132. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Michigan College came in at #19 for value in general physical sciences this year. North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Petoskey. In-state tuition and fees average $5,430, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,398 to complete the general physical sciences program here. General Physical Sciences graduates of North Central Michigan College earn a median of $42,952 early in their careers. Set against $12,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College North Campus placed #20 among the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $16,643. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Seattle Community College North Campus generally make around $48,739. Set against $16,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. 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. General Physical Sciences 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.
Columbia Basin College came in at #22 for value in general physical sciences this year. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,555, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #23 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark College came in at #24 for value in general physical sciences this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Clark College earn a median of $43,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt.
Northern Oklahoma College earned the #25 position for value in general physical sciences 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. Students borrow a median of $11,811 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $40,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general physical sciences value ranking:
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
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 · 209 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
