2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Kentucky
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Kentucky
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
Northern Kentucky University earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in Kentucky. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Murray State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,334. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $34,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Kentucky is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Louisville placed #6 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,411 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Centre College came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. Centre College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. Students borrow a median of $26,560 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $32,327. That is a strong return on a $26,560 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
More Physical Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
