2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for physical sciences in Texas. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $22,913. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin, which ranked #3. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rice University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Clear Lake earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,100. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,988. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #8 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,614. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $19,222 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $67,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,222 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Angelo State University landed the #10 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of North Texas placed #12 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,351 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $38,006. That is a strong return on a $22,351 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Prairie View A And M University earned the #13 position for value in physical sciences this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $47,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #16 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,073. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,250. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #18 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $25,861 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $42,530. Set against $25,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #19 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,506 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $35,709. That is a strong return on a $24,506 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Blinn College landed the #20 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,465. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #21 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,001. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $55,331. Set against $19,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University landed the #22 spot for physical sciences value this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $28,775 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $43,940. That is a strong return on a $28,775 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas Tech University placed #23 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,205. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,634. That is a strong return on a $26,205 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas Southern University earned the #24 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $35,330. Physical Sciences graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $41,890 early in their careers. Set against $35,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical sciences this year:
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 · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
