2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Ohio
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
Stark State College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools in Ohio. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Wright State University Main Campus one of the best values for physical sciences. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $39,321. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Cleveland State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,744. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $48,147. That is a strong return on a $24,744 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #4 place for physical sciences. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,346. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,156. That is a strong return on a $27,346 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,568. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $70,743. Set against $24,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Toledo came in at #6 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,615. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,842. Set against $25,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $23,828 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $42,670. That is a strong return on a $23,828 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $43,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $47,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Wooster earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,640 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford landed the #12 spot for physical sciences value this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $20,862 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $38,478. That is a strong return on a $20,862 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
John Carroll University placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,500. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Physical Sciences graduates of John Carroll University earn a median of $30,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. John Carroll University admits about 81% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,411 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. That is a strong return on a $24,411 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Oberlin College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,366. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $25,146. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 63 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/) 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.
