2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Tennessee
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
Our analysis ranked Tennessee State University the best value for a degree in physical sciences in Tennessee. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $29,489. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $45,060. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $36,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,999 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,256 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,329 early in their careers. Set against $31,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Austin Peay State University landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,500. Physical Sciences graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $42,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $45,444. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,748 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,383. Set against $22,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University earned the #10 position for value in physical sciences this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
