by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 166 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in physical sciences, no school beat St Charles Community College this year. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,606. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $47,352. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,821. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,725 early in their careers. Set against $24,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Chadron State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $47,254. Set against $22,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grinnell College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,196 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,154. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $38,888. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $28,808. Physical Sciences graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $43,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,255. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College landed the #9 spot for physical sciences value this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,974. Physical Sciences graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #11 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,884 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $39,478 early in their careers. Set against $24,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #12 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,062. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $48,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,000. Physical Sciences graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $43,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $47,670 early in their careers. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #15 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $41,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Kansas State University earned the #16 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $14,138. Physical Sciences graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Set against $14,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #17 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,952. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Iowa State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,173 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $56,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,058 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
South Dakota State University came in at #20 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $59,387. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota landed the #21 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,110. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $64,378. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Lindenwood University came in at #22 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,197. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Pittsburg State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $50,003. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Coe College came in at #24 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,666. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Physical Sciences graduates of Coe College earn a median of $44,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #25 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $18,655. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,710. That is a strong return on a $18,655 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 166 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
