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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools

62 Colleges in the United States
$10,516 Avg Student Debt
$41,395 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Associate's Degree Badge [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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 382 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biological & physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools

1
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in biological & physical sciences in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

A rank of #3 makes Golden West College one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

4
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

A rank of #4 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Imperial Valley College earned it the #5 place for biological & physical sciences. 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. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $23,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College landed the #6 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,945. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $25,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.

9

Irvine Valley College placed #9 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. 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. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College came in at #10 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.

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Moraine Valley Community College came in at #11 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $6,500. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $23,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

San Diego Mesa College landed the #12 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $7,785. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $19,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #13 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.

14
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College placed #14 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $12,324. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $31,415. Set against $12,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #15 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $5,707. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.

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Pasadena City College placed #16 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,191. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

17

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned the #17 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,115. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $26,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Santiago Canyon College placed #19 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

20

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #20 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $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.

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Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College landed the #21 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.

22
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College placed #22 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.

23

San Diego City College placed #23 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #24 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25
Yuba College crest
Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College came in at #25 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biological & physical sciences:

26
27
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA
28
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL
29
30
31
Canada College crest
Canada College
Redwood City, CA
32
33
34
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
35
36
37
38
39
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA
40
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
41
42
43
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA
44
Taft College crest
Taft College
Taft, CA
45
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
46
47
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
48
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
49
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
50

Other Biological & Physical Sciences Degree Levels

Explore the best-value biological & physical sciences schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Biological & Physical Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Biological & Physical Sciences
Master's Degrees in Biological & Physical Sciences
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View All Biological & Physical Sciences Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 62 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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