2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Florida
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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in Florida. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $53,651 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for physical sciences. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $28,660. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,860. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $35,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,063 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $48,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,063 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $22,553 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $61,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,162. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $31,663 early in their careers. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $38,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University placed #11 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $70,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Institute Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,900. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $32,114. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Florida Institute Of Technology generally make around $69,878. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The University Of Tampa landed the #13 spot for physical sciences value this year. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $34,408. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,191 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $45,401 early in their careers. Set against $25,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Miami ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,750. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #15 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,085. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,515. Set against $26,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
