2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
North Central Michigan College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools in Michigan. Set in the town of Petoskey, North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,430 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,398 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,952. Set against $12,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jackson Community College earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,960. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,322. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lake Superior State University one of the best values for physical sciences. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. Students from in state pay about $14,890 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $47,910. That is a strong return on a $22,429 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $77,165. Set against $20,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan Technological University earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,800. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,590 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $35,596. That is a strong return on a $21,590 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Central Michigan University landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,235. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #9 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University landed the #10 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,154 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,954. That is a strong return on a $26,154 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Northern Michigan University earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,500. Physical Sciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western Michigan University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,981. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,966. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kalamazoo College earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,900. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $39,940 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #14 spot for physical sciences value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $28,289 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,438. Set against $28,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College landed the #15 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,636 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $21,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
