2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Indiana
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Indiana
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
Our analysis ranked Indiana University Southeast the best value for a degree in physical sciences in Indiana. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,081 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $42,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,568 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $55,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,568 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,560 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $66,955. That is a strong return on a $20,560 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ball State University placed #6 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $42,313. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Valparaiso University came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $37,526. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Indianapolis placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,200. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,214 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $40,612. That is a strong return on a $23,214 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Franklin College earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys College earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,230. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,274. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame placed #11 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $84,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Butler University landed the #12 spot for physical sciences value this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $47,560. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
More Physical Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
