by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Rio Salado College tops our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools in Arizona. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona Western College one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,895.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Phoenix College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $15,204. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa Community College earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in physical sciences 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,204. Physical Sciences graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. 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 $10,447 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #9 for value in physical sciences this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. 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 $13,084. Physical Sciences graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,654 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,087. Set against $21,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Arizona State University placed #11 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,035. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $36,687. Set against $23,035 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona placed #12 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,539 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $83,183 early in their careers. Set against $23,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,974. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,085. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott generally make around $41,515. That is a strong return on a $26,085 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott admits about 77% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.