2027 Best Value General Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[General Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for general physical sciences students.
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2027 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
For return on investment in general physical sciences, no school beat California State University Fresno this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Chadron State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $47,254. That is a strong return on a $22,912 median debt.
Arizona State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $41,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the best values for general physical sciences. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Wesleyan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,042. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $16,125. General Physical Sciences graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. That is a strong return on a $27,491 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University placed #7 among the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general physical sciences program here. General Physical Sciences graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Other General Physical Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Physical Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All General Physical Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.