2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
For return on investment in physical sciences, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,944. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,583. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,952. That is a strong return on a $17,583 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $34,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $29,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,202. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,874. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,553 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida landed the #7 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,539. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $26,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #8 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $48,908. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #10 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,136 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $31,815. Set against $12,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for physical sciences. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $8,750. 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. The acceptance rate is 80%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #13 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,774 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $47,724. That is a strong return on a $18,774 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The University Of West Florida earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Dalton State College earned the #15 position for value in physical sciences this year. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,955. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $41,654. That is a strong return on a $14,955 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #16 among the best values for physical sciences. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $22,913. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #17 for value in physical sciences this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,572. Physical Sciences graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $40,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #20 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,063 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $47,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands landed the #21 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $46,131. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #22 for value in physical sciences this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #23 position for value in physical sciences this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,478. Physical Sciences graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology placed #24 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,747 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $64,561. That is a strong return on a $18,747 median debt. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos earned the #25 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $19,069 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,984. That is a strong return on a $19,069 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical sciences:
Other Physical Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Physical Sciences rankings across degree levels:
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 · 1522 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 244 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.
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
