[Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 382 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical sciences students.
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Finding the Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences School for You
Where you study biological & physical sciences affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $36,362. Set against $10,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Moorpark College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $17,075. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,776. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $21,500. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Imperial Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $23,311 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College placed #7 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,945. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $25,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College landed the #8 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Skyline College placed #9 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College came in at #10 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #11 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $23,128 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College landed the #12 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $20,250. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #13 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $7,785. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $19,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Shasta College earned the #15 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,324 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $31,415 early in their careers. Set against $12,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #17 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #18 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Victor Valley College landed the #19 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $26,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,583 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $26,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,583 median debt.
Lake Land College landed the #22 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $7,769. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College earned the #23 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
San Diego City College landed the #24 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $27,451 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biological & physical sciences:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 382 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 97 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).
[Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
