by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania the best value for a degree in physical sciences in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,388. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,729 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $63,097. Set against $30,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,375 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,098. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Reading Area Community College earned it the #4 place for physical sciences. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,979. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Pennsylvania Western University, which ranked #5. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,258 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,617. That is a strong return on a $29,258 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,288. Physical Sciences graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,288 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $21,249 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,524 early in their careers. Set against $21,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,040. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Haverford College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,398 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,966 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Physical Sciences graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $46,912 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Juniata College earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Huntingdon, Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,580. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,976. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Juniata College generally make around $30,552. Set against $26,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Juniata College admits about 79% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #15 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $42,022. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Gettysburg College earned the #16 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,640 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,309 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Gettysburg College earn a median of $43,376 early in their careers. Set against $26,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gettysburg College admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,692 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $52,147. That is a strong return on a $26,692 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Scranton placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $56,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $74,352 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #20 for value in physical sciences this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lehigh University earned the #22 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,707. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $70,321. That is a strong return on a $19,707 median debt. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Drexel University landed the #23 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $30,151 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $49,215. Set against $30,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Franklin And Marshall College earned the #24 position for value in physical sciences this year. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $70,794 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,411 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Bucknell University came in at #25 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,951 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $64,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.