2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M International University the best value for a degree in physical sciences in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $22,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,412. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $12,412 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #4 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Oklahoma College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $11,811. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $40,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus landed the #7 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $10,986. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Lamar University came in at #8 for value in physical sciences this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rio Salado College placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,679. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,747 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $64,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
Arizona Western College earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,819. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $43,353. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Blinn College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Taos Campus earned the #16 position for value in physical sciences this year. University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $5,136. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $10,986. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,132. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $15,996. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,614 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,550. That is a strong return on a $22,614 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Rice University earned the #19 position for value in physical sciences this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Phoenix College landed the #20 spot for physical sciences value this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paradise Valley Community College landed the #21 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,204. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #22 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $65,563. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,752. Physical Sciences graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Mesa Community College came in at #25 for value in physical sciences this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,750. Physical Sciences graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical sciences:
Narrow Physical Sciences Schools by State
More Physical Sciences Rankings
View All Physical Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
