2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[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.
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
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
Leading the list is Chadron State College, our #1 best value for general physical sciences in the United States. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $41,421. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California Santa Cruz is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $18,559. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $40,920. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in general physical sciences will find it at Emory University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $67,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #5 place for general physical sciences. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Villanova University placed #6 among the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,601. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
Other General Physical Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Physical Sciences rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 5 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.
